NationStates Jolt Archive


Seatbelts without seats?

Dodudodu
05-03-2007, 01:02
In my state (RI), there are seatbelt laws.

However, are there actual seat laws? For example, if I were to take my back seat out (quite easy, I've got a jeep), would it be illegal for someone to ride on the floor, even if they had a seatbelt?

I know most of you wouldn't recommend this, but I've got a thing for finding technicalities in rules and such.

Anyone have any ideas as to where I can find this, other than getting pulled over and potentially ticketed? Or perhaps you've got personal experiences?
Cannot think of a name
05-03-2007, 01:08
You might be able to find a vehicle code online. I'm too lazy to look.

I know that people can sit in the back of my VW Bus without belts. But it has seats.
Relyc
05-03-2007, 01:09
I'm envisioning swing-set model seats. Kind of like bungee apparatus, but secured to the ceiling. Properly implemented, it could save lives. :eek:
Vetalia
05-03-2007, 01:10
Why not just ask your BMV? They should know the answer since they deal with licensing and registration of vehicles.
Dodudodu
05-03-2007, 01:14
I've been checking online all over the place. They only address seatbelts.

And I have asked people at the DMV, and they won't give me a straight answer either:headbang:
Vetalia
05-03-2007, 01:15
And I have asked people at the DMV, and they won't give me a straight answer either:headbang:

Car dealer? State Highway Patrol? Mechanic or body shop?
Dodudodu
05-03-2007, 01:18
Car dealer? State Highway Patrol? Mechanic or body shop?

I'll give it a shot. Maybe ask a judge at traffic court.
Katganistan
05-03-2007, 02:36
It would stand to reason that one cannot safely use a SEATBELT if there is no SEAT that it is fastened to.
Blotting
05-03-2007, 03:25
It would stand to reason that one cannot safely use a SEATBELT if there is no SEAT that it is fastened to.

Yes, but this is a legal matter and years of frivolous lawsuits have proven that there are a few people cannot think for themselves and need the government or some chirpy housewife on TV to explain every single last detail of how everything in the world works. To them, if the bottle of Draino doesn't SAY not to drink it, then that's a perfectly good reason to start chugging it down by the gallon.

[Not saying that the Original Poster is one of those people; s/he has a legitimate reason for asking this question].
Smunkeeville
05-03-2007, 03:33
if your car has seatbelts, it's illegal here to let people sit where the seat would be if there is not one.

(that's Oklahoma law, and I have the $45 ticket to prove it)

the reason CToaN gets away with people in his VW without seat belts is because it doesn't have any (or my dad's VW van didn't have any.... we all sat on a bench he made out of plywood, and we were fine)

I have no clue about RI law, but it's probably similar.
Kyronea
05-03-2007, 03:49
I don't understand why so many people want to get out of wearing seatbelts. Seatbelts on average protect far more lives than they ever put in danger, and usually the ones in danger are not wearing the belt correctly for one reason or anothing, thus making it their own damned fault for not paying attention. Seatbelt laws are put into place to, among other things, help ensure parents protect their children. An otherwise bad parent will still probably belt their kid in to avoid a fine.

I'd add more reasons but I can't think of any at the moment.
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
05-03-2007, 03:50
I'll give it a shot. Maybe ask a judge at traffic court.
Preferably before sentencing.
To them, if the bottle of Draino doesn't SAY not to drink it, then that's a perfectly good reason to start chugging it down by the gallon.
That would be ridiculous, everyone who is anyone knows that Draino is only good in a cocktail; drinking it straight would just be stupid.