Date:         Tue, 15 Jun 2004 10:28:29 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Non-Family Hauler / rear lap belts are much more safe than no
              belt - long but read
Comments: To: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@verizon.net>
Comments: cc: Chip Turpin <turpin3@CHARTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <40CF0605.9090905@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Sam Walters wrote:

>
>Then this morning we have John Rodgers story which is supposed to support the statement, "Lap belts are a safety illusion!!!!! Damn dangerous!! Only good for keeping the dead or broken body frm being flung from the vehicle making recovery easier. There is no alternative to a three point restraining system used properly."
>
>John's story actually supports the opposite conclusion as the young woman lived but  most likely would have died if she had been flung from the vehicle. All that kept her in was the lap belt. The problem in that situation was the rollover issue that plagues most SUV's and the improper use of the belt.
>
>
>
Sam, maybe I didn't make it clear .... my girl was thrown completely out
of the car. She was wearing the three point restraint  as a lap belt,
instead of wearing it correctly.. The other girl was strapped into the
vehicle by her three-point restraint, which kept her securely  in her
seat throughout the rollover. Of course her arms, legs, neck and head
were flailing about, and she suffered a neck strain among a few other
things. My girl was thrown completely out of the vehicle inspite of a
"lap belt" and she landed in the ditch, where-upon the vehicle rolled
over on top of her. Only being in the depression of the ditch saved her
from being crushed.

My feeling is that "No" seatbelt arrangement is satisfactory if it is
not a three=point restraining system and worn correctly. In my mind,
it's not a matter of no belts or just a seat belt. For me, the three
point belt is going to be there, period. If not, the seat is simply not
occupied by humans.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver