Date:         Sat, 28 Jan 2006 12:26:39 -0500
Reply-To:     Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Anyone install 3 point rear seat belts in camper??

No, but it's worth doing...

I mis-titled this when I put it on yesterday. It's a lawsuit brought against
VW of America by accident victims in Maine about 10 years ago, in which a
Vanagon spun out on black ice, killed and maimed their kids because, as they
claimed, the seat belts BROKE during the accident! The evidence was
disallowed in court because the Vanagon had already gone to the wreckers,
and because of this VW won both the original case and an appeal. Here's the
case:

http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/getopn.pl?OPINION=98-1812.01A

Personally, I believe the testimony of the plaintiffs, even though I can see
why the evidence was thrown out.

Conclusion: OEM seatbelts are inadequate, especially in the rear, because
they don't include shoulder belts and because THEY BREAK on serious impact.

Sobering thought. Now back to something more fun.


Geza