Posted: 10/4/2013 6:30:41 AM EDT
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Argument a work, about saftey belts and proper wear,
I have a couple of folks at work who swear they can cite folks for improper wear of shoulder belt (front seat) Basically, they are saying that it has to be worn over the top of the shoulder, and not under the armpit (I'm an under the armpit guy) I checked code, but all I could find was 40-8-76.1, which says that in a vehicle manufactured after the mid 60s, that isn't a slow delivery vehicle, or mass transit vehicle, you have to wear one. But not how you have to wear it. Anyone have any actually code stating how the shoulder belt has to be worn? |
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Quoted:
Not for nothing, but doesn't wearing the belt below your armpit defeat the whole purpose of having a shoulder harness? Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... |
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Quoted:
Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... Quoted:
Quoted:
Not for nothing, but doesn't wearing the belt below your armpit defeat the whole purpose of having a shoulder harness? Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... Large chested women tend to find wearing it under the armpit to be much more comfortable, but I doubt that applies in the OP's case. 
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I dont think a seatbelt ticket written to someone who has the shoulder strap behind their back or under their arm would hold up in court. However, a traffic stop based upon an officer's observation that the seatbelt was not on would probably still be ok.
http://www.leagle.com/decision/19981337501SE2d836_11217 In that court case a guy was stopped for having no seat belt even though he was wearing the lap portion but not the shoulder strap. He was subsequently arrested for several other charges (DUI, possession of a controlled substance) and asked that the case be dismissed because he was in fact wearing his seatbelt. The traffic stop and arrest was upheld in the Georgia court of appeals. Ive personally stopped several people for a no seatbelt violation only to find out that they were wearing the shoulder strap improperly or not at all. Ive never issued a citation to anyone that had at least some part of their safety belt buckled though. For the record though, you should wear the shoulder strap across your shoulder. Ive seen lots of injuries in auto accidents that i believe could have been prevented had the seat belt been worn properly. If you dont wear the shoulder portion you run the risk of sliding underneath the lap belt into the floorboard. If you wear it across your ribs then you are likely to have injuries and broken bones across your ribcage and chest area. |
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Quoted:
I dont think a seatbelt ticket written to someone who has the shoulder strap behind their back or under their arm would hold up in court. However, a traffic stop based upon an officer's observation that the seatbelt was not on would probably still be ok. http://www.leagle.com/decision/19981337501SE2d836_11217 In that court case a guy was stopped for having no seat belt even though he was wearing the lap portion but not the shoulder strap. He was subsequently arrested for several other charges (DUI, possession of a controlled substance) and asked that the case be dismissed because he was in fact wearing his seatbelt. The traffic stop and arrest was upheld in the Georgia court of appeals. Ive personally stopped several people for a no seatbelt violation only to find out that they were wearing the shoulder strap improperly or not at all. Ive never issued a citation to anyone that had at least some part of their safety belt buckled though. For the record though, you should wear the shoulder strap across your shoulder. Ive seen lots of injuries in auto accidents that i believe could have been prevented had the seat belt been worn properly. If you dont wear the shoulder portion you run the risk of sliding underneath the lap belt into the floorboard. If you wear it across your ribs then you are likely to have injuries and broken bones across your ribcage and chest area. I second that. The belts are designed to do their best to protect you if properly worn. I've been in an accident where both vehicles were totaled (other guy's fault), and everyone walked away (6 people in all). I had abrasions on my arms from the airbag pushing them off the steering wheel, but that was it for visible damage. I believe the seat belt kept me from hitting the steering wheel airbag (chest/face) at all. |
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Quoted:
Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... Quoted:
Quoted:
Not for nothing, but doesn't wearing the belt below your armpit defeat the whole purpose of having a shoulder harness? Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... I am a fan of not dying in a car wreck, or becoming a vegetable after one. That is a self correcting error. |
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Quoted:
Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... Quoted:
Quoted:
Not for nothing, but doesn't wearing the belt below your armpit defeat the whole purpose of having a shoulder harness? Curious, why would you wear it under your armpit? I think its your choice and all, but curious why you wouldn't want the seatbelt to be able to do its job. As someone who has been in a head-on collision, I'm a fan of my seatbelt... I've been in three serious accidents including a roll over. I'm with you on this. |
| I am tall (6'6") and the seat belt in my truck slides off my shoulder and on my arm when I wear it "correctly." I had a officer at a DUI checkpoint get an attitude with me once about having it under my arm. I asked him how it was wrong because it crossed my chest and lap. His best answer was "because its the law." After looking hard, I didn't find that answer to be true. Some are just looking for a chance to go off on a power trip. Most around here are good guys though and wouldn't say a thing. |