Author Topic: Seat Belts (Read 2505 times)

Bug Maniac · « **on:** February 04, 2006, 11:57:25 AM »

Can someone tell me what year seatbelts were fitted in a bug as standard, I appreciate that it may have been done different over there to Europe, but I will have more of an idea whatever.

Cheers

kirin · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2006, 12:04:24 PM »

Seatbelt mounting points were first put into beetles starting in 62. From then on I believe they were optional.

Bruce · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2006, 02:45:10 PM »

USA/Canada laws required seat belts to be installed in all cars built after Jan 1, 63, so some 63s had them, some didn't. Cops that know enforce the law only on 64 and later cars. However, if your pre 63 car has belts, you must wear them. If your post 63 car does not have belts, you must upgrade, or you will get fined.

68IIIbuggy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2006, 04:50:30 PM »

I'm pretty sure seatbelt laws didn't come into effect in Canada and the US until 1968, though many cars built before then had them as an option. My 65 bus had no belts when I got it, neither did my 67 Dodge truck

AlanU · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2006, 05:02:42 PM »

My 65 was equipped with a shoulder belt only. Mind you its a European standard 65 shipped from France. There is no provision for me to bolt a lap belt on like a later beetle.

blarneyman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2006, 07:44:19 PM »

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I'm pretty sure seatbelt laws didn't come into effect in Canada and the US until 1968, though many cars built before then had them as an option. My 65 bus had no belts when I got it, neither did my 67 Dodge truck

The requirement for wearing your seatbelt in the US wasn't an \"enforced\" law until the early 80's. I think the law existed before that but it was never enforced. I remember a lot of people were fighting their tickets for not wearing seatbelts. They were claiming it was an enfringement on there personal rights.

I have the right to die in my car any time I feel like it! ]

bufferman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2006, 10:35:22 PM »

not sure in canada but in the US u dont have to upgrade if your car didnt have them it just has to meet the reg for that year your car was made and even some imported models didnt have to be changed over if came into the country before a certian year

Bruce · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2006, 10:38:48 PM »

I just looked it up, I was a few months off when the requirement started. Cars built after Dec 1, 1963 must have at least 2 seat belts.
Shoulder belts weren't required until 1968. Many cars had separate shoulder belts from the lap belt. According to the law, if your car is built with separate belts, you only have to wear the lap belt.

You can get an exemption to wearing a seatbelt if you are really fat.

Delivery drivers who are jumping in and out repeatedly don't have to wear a belt as long as their speed is below 40km/h.

It wasn't until 1977 in BC that the first laws were passed requiring you to wear the belts that were previously required to be manufactured into your car. Every province/state has their own belt use requirement laws.

If you have a 64 or later car that has no belts, either it was not built for sale in Canada/USA, or someone took them out. Either way, you will get a fine for not wearing what isn't there.

Chris · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2006, 12:20:39 AM »

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Delivery drivers who are jumping in and out repeatedly don't have to wear a belt as long as their speed is below 40km/h.

And for that, only if your vehicle is licensed as a motor carrier. So that means like UPS and Fedex trucks, not joe blow pizza delivery guy.

steveo_32 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2006, 01:30:42 AM »

I new a fellow who had two rear seatbelts in a 67 firebird and no fronts factory ordered that way.

Bruce · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2006, 01:33:13 PM »

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Delivery drivers who are jumping in and out repeatedly don't have to wear a belt as long as their speed is below 40km/h.

And for that, only if your vehicle is licensed as a motor carrier. So that means like UPS and Fedex trucks, not joe blow pizza delivery guy.

Section 220.(5)( c ) does not specify you have to be specially licenced. It applies to everyone, if you are someone:

( c ) who is actually engaged in work which requires him to alight from and re-enter the motor vehicle at frequent intervals and who, while engaged in that work, does not drive or travel in that vehicle at a speed exceeding 40km/hr.

If Joe Blow pizza guy had 3 or 4 stops in one block, he'd qualify. The guy who drives the garbage truck also qualifies.

Bruce · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2006, 01:36:49 PM »

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I new a fellow who had two rear seatbelts in a 67 firebird and no fronts factory ordered that way.

A savvy cop will still give him a ticket for not wearing his seatbelts. Also, it is illegal for him to sell that car, just like it was illegal for Pontiac to sell it that way in the first place.

Chris · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2006, 05:26:41 PM »

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Quote

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Delivery drivers who are jumping in and out repeatedly don't have to wear a belt as long as their speed is below 40km/h.

And for that, only if your vehicle is licensed as a motor carrier. So that means like UPS and Fedex trucks, not joe blow pizza delivery guy.

Section 217.(5)( c ) does not specify you have to be specially licenced. It applies to everyone, if you are someone:

( c ) who is actually engaged in work which requires him to alight from and re-enter the motor vehicle at frequent intervals and who, while engaged in that work, does not drive or travel in that vehicle at a speed exceeding 40km/hr.

If Joe Blow pizza guy had 3 or 4 stops in one block, he'd qualify. The guy who drives the garbage truck also qualifies.

Speaking from the experience of a ticket I rec'd as a pizza driver and lost a battle in court over. I was advised that my stops were not considered frequent, where if I was delivering milk, or the mail or picking up trash that was considered frequent. I tried citing the statute, and was told that I should concentrate on wearing my seatbelt! I guess interpretation of the law is still on the side of the law....

68IIIbuggy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2006, 08:26:31 PM »

Bruce, where did you find the seatbelt law info? I'm curious about it now and want to read some more.

Chris · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2006, 08:34:58 PM »

BC Motor Vehicle Act, although I think Bruce has his own copy.

68IIIbuggy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2006, 09:37:31 PM »

Found it.........HMMMM.....Interesting stuff.............I guess my bus is legal now, as I installed 2 seatbelts in the front, and \"at least two\" is the legal requirement.

Bruce · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:13:50 AM »

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Quote

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Delivery drivers who are jumping in and out repeatedly don't have to wear a belt as long as their speed is below 40km/h.

And for that, only if your vehicle is licensed as a motor carrier. So that means like UPS and Fedex trucks, not joe blow pizza delivery guy.

Section 217.(5)( c ) does not specify you have to be specially licenced. It applies to everyone, if you are someone:

( c ) who is actually engaged in work which requires him to alight from and re-enter the motor vehicle at frequent intervals and who, while engaged in that work, does not drive or travel in that vehicle at a speed exceeding 40km/hr.

If Joe Blow pizza guy had 3 or 4 stops in one block, he'd qualify. The guy who drives the garbage truck also qualifies.
Speaking from the experience of a ticket I rec'd as a pizza driver and lost a battle in court over. I was advised that my stops were not considered frequent, where if I was delivering milk, or the mail or picking up trash that was considered frequent. I tried citing the statute, and was told that I should concentrate on wearing my seatbelt! I guess interpretation of the law is still on the side of the law....

I bet you will agree that it's rare for a pizza guy to have 3-4 stops in a block or two. And I bet you were going more than 40km/h between stops. A good try, but you probably knew your goose was cooked before you went to court.

Bruce · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:19:03 AM »

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BC Motor Vehicle Act, although I think Bruce has his own copy.

A difficult read, since it is in legal-eze, but when you get through it, it is surprising how little you may think you know.

Mowser · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:41:28 AM »

hate to beat a dead horse but a vehicle built in December of '63 would be a '64 model year wouldn't it? I know things model years were different back in the day but I'm not sure. I only mention it because my friend had a '64 Chevelle Malibu SS. Thing went like a raped ape with it's DONE 327 and had NO seatbelts. In fact it didn't even have the holes for them. He was pulled over several times and was never issued a ticket.

Bug Maniac · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2006, 06:12:51 AM »

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A good try, but you probably knew your goose was cooked before you went to court.

Umm I have never had Goose on a pizza before :lol: :lol: :lol:

I hope he was wearing his belt, bloody feathers everywhere.

kirin · « **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:16:30 AM »

My car is a early 62 and it has seatbelt mounting points and they are original....

Geoff · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2006, 11:14:12 AM »

Bruce\"The guy who drives the garbage truck also qualifies. \"

But would he? The driver isn't the one putting the garbage into the truck, he only drives it so he wouldn't need to get in and out!?!?

So now that we all know im just beating this dead horse until it turns into glue.........He may be going under 40 and making stop after stop but he's not getting in and out, whats your take on this Bruce? B)

Bruce · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2006, 11:45:01 PM »

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a vehicle built in December of '63 would be a '64 model year wouldn't it? ....... my friend had a '64 Chevelle Malibu SS. ...... and had NO seatbelts. In fact it didn't even have the holes for them. He was pulled over several times and was never issued a ticket.

A cop would have to prove that 64 shovel was built before Dec 63 to win. Impossible without the build sheet from Chevy. Anybody with a 64 model year car could make the claim their car was built in the fall of 63.

The guy that drives the recycling truck around here is a one man operation.