Seat Belts

mpierce wrote:

willald wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
As far as I know, they still do not have seat belts in school buses.

School buses, are built like absolute TANKS - they are extremely heavy, due to the steel cage all around to protect occupants in the event of a crash. Also, every seat in a school bus is specifically designed, with a tall cushion in front of it and behind, to protect occupants in the event of a sudden stop. They are also severely restricted in most states, in terms of top speed. You'll never see a school bus going 65 or 70 mph. Many are limited to 45 mph, even on major highways. Not to mention, they are driven only by someone with a CDL license.

That is why passengers on a school buses don't have to use seatbelts. That, and seatbelting in dozens of children in a bus creates much more serious problems than it avoids, in the event that they have to evacuate the bus quickly.

NONE of those things are true about a Motorhome. Soo, please don't compare an RV to a school bus, as that comparison is completely ridiculous. Its like comparing a M1 tank to a cardboard box, haha.

Will

My Bluebird Wanderlodge is built just the same, an all steel tank. It is one of the reasons we got it. They do NOT explode in a wreck like 98% of MH's do.

True, but your Wanderlodge is the exception, not the norm when it comes to Motorhomes. Not many are built that way, and the few that are, only the extremely wealthy can afford one thats not 20 years old. :)

Still, unless you limit your speed to 45 mph even on highways, have a CDL, and install seats in your Wanderlodge that have tall cushions front and back like school buses do....Well, your Bluebird Wanderlodge MH is still not a good comparison with a school bus.

Please don't get me wrong - As indicated in a previous post, I'm not one that would insist EVERYONE should be seatbelted ALL the time a MH is moving, like some advocate. I have no problem with my passengers getting up from time to time, to use the facilities, get a drink or snack, etc. I just don't agree with the comparison to school buses, as thats an entirely different ball game.

Will

willald wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
As far as I know, they still do not have seat belts in school buses.

School buses, are built like absolute TANKS - they are extremely heavy, due to the steel cage all around to protect occupants in the event of a crash. Also, every seat in a school bus is specifically designed, with a tall cushion in front of it and behind, to protect occupants in the event of a sudden stop. They are also severely restricted in most states, in terms of top speed. You'll never see a school bus going 65 or 70 mph. Many are limited to 45 mph, even on major highways. Not to mention, they are driven only by someone with a CDL license.

That is why passengers on a school buses don't have to use seatbelts. That, and seatbelting in dozens of children in a bus creates much more serious problems than it avoids, in the event that they have to evacuate the bus quickly.

NONE of those things are true about a Motorhome. Soo, please don't compare an RV to a school bus, as that comparison is completely ridiculous. Its like comparing a M1 tank to a cardboard box, haha.

Will

My Bluebird Wanderlodge is built just the same, an all steel tank. It is one of the reasons we got it. They do NOT explode in a wreck like 98% of MH's do.

As far as the law is concerned, the two people in the front seat need to wear belts. The articles quoted are so much BS, as the section of the RV behind the RV is not considered a vehicle, it's a home. This is why search laws differ in RV's and cars (trucks, vans, etc.)

This does not mean that using them in the back is a bad idea, or that they should not be used, but there is NO LEGAL REASON to use them. Trying to tell how the laws apply is complex, but I'll give you the VERY short version.

The FEDS (DOT) wanted all states to pass seat belt laws and they didn't have jurisdiction. In order to "encourage" states to pass the "proper laws" the feds withheld fuel tax payments due to be refunded to the states as a function of the amount of federal tax we all pay when we buy road fuel. Big bucks. At first these were front seat only and then they started working on all positions. Going along with that the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards were revised so all manufacturers installed and tested belts and anchorages according to the same standards. This required a large number of full crash tests and many more sled tests. Needless to say, BIG $$$$. Based on the number of documented fatalities and injuries experienced in RV's it was determined that the cost of testing multiple seating positions in the back of RV's, did not mandate seat belt testing in the rear. Of course manufacturers objections were also huge. Regardless, some manufacturers elected to put belts or belts and shoulder harnesses in the back based on "feel good" emotions. Some are worthwhile and some are downright dangerous, but they are there in some RV's. Bottom line, no standards, can't have a law because effectiveness is always in question.

By the way I taught this subject to state and local police, medics, nurses, firepeople, and many others for 8 years. I was the first certified Child Passenger Safety Specialist in Delaware, as well as being a licensed safety engineer

rgatijnet1 wrote:
As far as I know, they still do not have seat belts in school buses.

School buses, are built like absolute TANKS - they are extremely heavy, due to the steel cage all around to protect occupants in the event of a crash. Also, every seat in a school bus is specifically designed, with a tall cushion in front of it and behind, to protect occupants in the event of a sudden stop. They are also severely restricted in most states, in terms of top speed. You'll never see a school bus going 65 or 70 mph. Many are limited to 45 mph, even on major highways. Not to mention, they are driven only by someone with a CDL license.

That is why passengers on a school buses don't have to use seatbelts. That, and seatbelting in dozens of children in a bus creates much more serious problems than it avoids, in the event that they have to evacuate the bus quickly.

NONE of those things are true about a Motorhome. Soo, please don't compare an RV to a school bus, as that comparison is completely ridiculous. Its like comparing a M1 tank to a cardboard box, haha.

Will

Colo Native wrote:
As a retired Firefighter I say everyone period!!

Retired after 30+ years as a paramedic and Air Ambulance dispatcher I don't complain about people not wearing seat belts, motor cycle helmets etc. (except for kids). After all, they and other stupid people helped keep me gainfully employed all that time and are a large part of the reason that I now have a nice pension.

Wherever there is a seatbelt in your coach and if someone is sitting in that seat, then it's a State Law you must buckle up in Washington State. Too take this a step further in Washington State the Federal Government pays LEO's money for this enforcing this law.

As far as I know, they still do not have seat belts in school buses.
I have only adults riding in my Class A and only the person in the other captains chair is required to be buckled up. The other adults can chose to use one of the other seat belts in the coach, or not.

Rick Jay wrote:
Haven't put one on the commode, yet. LOL

Hey, thats a good idea, I hadn't thought of that! A seat belt for the commode! As much time as some members of my family spend on that thing when we're traveling, I should look into that. For their own safety, of course. :)

If you need to add seatbelts, I can recommend Gotbelts.com . They have a variety of styles, lengths, colors and mounting hardware options. I installed some across our bed so when we're travelling at night and the kids are sleeping in the back, they won't "roll off" should I have to brake hard. :)

We don't let the kids go back to their bunk beds (or our bed) in the back when on the road (don't have seatbelts on them). I've toyed with the idea of putting seatbelts on their bunks so they can, but have not done that, and probably won't. Reason being: Its very difficult if not impossible for us to see back there when on the road, to make sure they would be using belts in the bunks. Knowing that we cannot see back there, it would not be long before they would not use them, and I cringe to think of the horrible injuries it'd cause if one of them fell or were thrown out from a bunk when I had to make a sudden turn or stop.

Will

Our policy is similar to Willald's. Stay belted, but if it's deemed safe to move around, then they can do what they need to and then buckle up. All 12 seating positions in our motorhome came with seatbelts from the manufacturer, so it gives lots of seating options. Haven't put one on the commode, yet. LOL

If you need to add seatbelts, I can recommend Gotbelts.com . They have a variety of styles, lengths, colors and mounting hardware options. I installed some across our bed so when we're travelling at night and the kids are sleeping in the back, they won't "roll off" should I have to brake hard. :)

~Rick

Executive wrote:
My front seat passenger is belted along with the driver. Everyone else is up to me to decide when and whether to get belted...just like in an aircraft..turbulence, the seat belt light comes on, severe clear, it's off.......Dennis

Someone, please pass the popcorn.....:)...D

This is pretty much the same rules we use, but I generally require that everyone be belted in, any/all the time they are sitting at a seat that has a seatbelt. I installed a seatbelt on the recliner behind the passenger seat, so pretty much all seats have a seatbelt, except the rear-facing side of the dinette.

As I recall, the law only requires that the person in the driver and passenger seat be belted in.

And, yes, Dennis, you're right, pass the popcorn, get a cold drink, sit back and watch the fun. This topic ALWAYS generates lots of entertaining 'discussion'. :)

You'll notice, folks that own towable RVs are always very adament in these discussions, saying that EVERYONE must be belted in ALL the time, and should NEVER get up for anything when RV is moving. Ever. But, you watch, one day when those folks trade up to a MH and see how nice it is to have all the amenities when on the road...Suddenly their opinion on this matter changes drastically. :)