kARLUG
Enthusiast
ANY OPINIONS ON USING 5 POINT HARNESS FOR STREET USE? I DON'T TRACK MY CAR BUT LIKE THE ADDED SAFETY OF 5 POINTS. IS IT A HASSLE USING THESE ON THE STREET? COMFORTABLE?? HOW ABOUT 4 POINT BELTS?
5 POINT HARNESS FOR STREET
- Thread starter kARLUG
- Start date
Doug Supercharged Vipers
Enthusiast
RED 93RT -
Any type of seat belt restraint other than the factory seat belts would have to be DOT approved to use them on public streets and highways. You could be issued a traffic citation for a non-approved DOT belt. Of course, I would prefer a minor infraction over factory belts if I knew it would save my life! The 4 or 5 point harnesses are a bit movement restrictive (a good thing) but will offer better safety retention in the event of a wreck. They must be installed properly to provide their intended purpose. Comfort can be obtained in a higher standard by locating the buckles in the properly selected location where they contact your body and a padded slip cover can be added to provide a further safety comfort. Their not very convenient to buckle-up on the street as the factory belts but they will offer better protection.
Regards,
Doug
Any type of seat belt restraint other than the factory seat belts would have to be DOT approved to use them on public streets and highways. You could be issued a traffic citation for a non-approved DOT belt. Of course, I would prefer a minor infraction over factory belts if I knew it would save my life! The 4 or 5 point harnesses are a bit movement restrictive (a good thing) but will offer better safety retention in the event of a wreck. They must be installed properly to provide their intended purpose. Comfort can be obtained in a higher standard by locating the buckles in the properly selected location where they contact your body and a padded slip cover can be added to provide a further safety comfort. Their not very convenient to buckle-up on the street as the factory belts but they will offer better protection.
Regards,
Doug
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Being that the standard 3point is a government requirement some idiot would probably site you for not using it, even though the 5point is far superior. Regardless, it wouldn't stop me from wearing it.
Paul Fischer
Enthusiast
Five points saved my butt when a truck pulled out in front of me and we went for the airbag taste test. Never even touched the bags, the five points were credited by the EMS crew from saving my passenger and I from serious injury. The only caution I can issue is that with your harnesses properly snug you have no place to hide in the event of a roll over so a roll hoop at the least is a good idea. Heck, you can't even reach far enough to close the door. Yes they are a pain to put on every time and they wear the leather on your seats if you sit on them but new seats are much cheaper than new faces. And Doug is right on, get slip covers to protect from chaffing.
Paul Fischer
Enthusiast
Sorry to eat up the bandwidth with a double post but another point. Every cop that ever saw me use them gave them the thumbs up. These guys see some nasty stuff out there and anything that keeps them from having to pull teeth out of dashboards is a good thing so far as they are concerned.
GTS Dean
Enthusiast
When you're strapped in tight, it's hard to check your blind spot. This can be covered by the use of a small convex spot mirror on the driver's side. Highly recommended.
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
A little hint: Use a tie wrap or velcro strip to attach the left lap belt and left shoulder belt so they are already put together, and do the same for the right lap and shoulder belt. Then when you get in, it is sort of like only putting on a vest. It's a lot quicker than fishing around for four individual belts.
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