Basic Motorhome Questions
Been a 5th wheeler for 17 years, but wife now has colitis and we are getting older, weak bladders, etc. Wondering if I should go to a motorhome for the last few years we travel. What might a 2 -3 ...
Forum Discussion
deandec wrote:msmith1199 wrote:
On the walking around, it may actually be illegal in some states. It is in California as the seatbelt laws now apply to motorhomes.
Is this something new since 2011?
I have used this DMV Publication as a reference for California rules on Housecars.
It says:Safety Belts
Always wear your safety belt when driving. Even though many RVs accommodate passengers in places where safety belts are not required by federal law (i.e., dining table), if the area has a safety belt—wear it. Riding in a place which is not equipped with a safety belt increases the danger of injury in case of a collision
Which seems more like a good recommendation than a law.
That DMV info is bad. 27315 is the California section that covers safety belts. It used to specifically exempt passengers in a motor home (called a Housecar) that were behind the front seats. That exemption was removed at least five years ago if my memory is correct. Now the law covers "Passenger Vehicles" as defined by section 465. If you check section 465 it clearly includes a House Car as a passenger vehicle.
Now if you ever did get a seatbelt ticket in California on your motorhome, I'd print out that DMV webpage and take the ticket to court and tell the judge you were relying on information directly from DMV. I'd be willing to bet you would get the ticket dismissed.
