Anyone have the definitive(learned that word the other day) answer to this question....are shoulder restraints that came in my 77 required by federal law? Can I eliminate shoulder belt and get by with only lap belts?

[QUOTE=mikeee]Anyone have the definitive(learned that word the other day) answer to this question....are shoulder restraints that came in my 77 required by federal law? Can I eliminate shoulder belt and get by with only lap belts?[/QUOTE] There really isn't a Federal law, but individual state laws. Each state controls it. The original two point seat belt was eliminated....so that was changed to a three point.....definitively meaning...you can still get cited for not using the shoulder restraint.  If you really want to check with Florida Registrar's office. corvette440hp2009-02-09 19:12:50

______________

Florida Police Chiefs Association - Traffic Central/Seatbelt... http://www.fpca.com/seatbelt.htm

______________

Mike if you were wearing just the lap belt, it probably would be up to the discretion of the police officer. You could plead that that's the way the car came when you purchased it. Good luck!

______________

Not! If the car was originally equipped with the shoulder harness, it must be present. Federal Law required them. Can't remember what year they were mandated, but it was '74 when they became standard equipment...
My question is...why would you NOT wear one? Like getting tickets...or glass pounded into your skull? Trust me...I've been diggin glass out of my head since '85...

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

 I have had occasion to dig out some glass from my body as well. Crash was not my fault, alcohol in brain of other driver caused him to see TWO of me. He did not know which one to avoid. ANYWAY, KEEP the belts, and USE them.  Penna. says "click it or ticket".  Belts save brains. 

______________

Click on image for full view

When I bought my 77 the seat belt retraction points were rusted up and the shoulder portion did not work properly. I replaced them with GM lap belts so I had seatbelts. That was 12 years ago, as stated above it would be up to the descretion of the officer and how the law is written. I beleive now there is some good sources for replacement origianal style belts.