Lap Belts Vs. Cops
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Lap Belts Vs. Cops
I was just wondering how many of you guys drive an old Ford that only has the belt that goes across your lap? How many times have you gotten pulled over because a cop thought you wasen't wearing a seat belt?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Too many times. Most of my vehicles are moving violations already so not having a visable seat belt is tough. I just recently performed a complete cab swap on a 75 just so that I could get shoulder belts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
I live in a very rural part of an already very rural state i.e. in the middle of nowhere, everyone owns an old pickup, if the cops started ticketing for no seatbelt they wouldn't have time to do anything else, they pretty much leave you alone around here, i believe it's a secondary offense in Montana, they have to pull you over for some other driving infraction and only then can you be ticketed for no seatbelt if you're not wearing one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
It's the same here in Pa, secondary violation only. A few years back they changed the helmet laws, but you have to wear a seat belt, doesn't make sense to me. Anyhow, when I am on patrol I see people grab their should belts and pull them down in front of them real fast, which I just laugh to myself. HOWEVER, there are those who while on a traffic stop just insist on talking themselves into that second ticket.
I even mentioned it to them that was what they were doing
but they insist, and can't drive any further intill I give them that second ticket! 
Then as they drive off in a huff, I am
knowing I did my job and made another happy customer,...........
I even mentioned it to them that was what they were doing
but they insist, and can't drive any further intill I give them that second ticket! Then as they drive off in a huff, I am
knowing I did my job and made another happy customer,...........
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
If your vehicle was originally equipped with only lap belts, that should not be a violation. For safety sake, if you want to add shoulder belts, its not too difficult. THere are a variety of aftermarket belts out there. I have a 3 point system in my 76 that is totally aftermarket. Not a very good picture, but you can kinda see the belts in the driver side. 
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
I laugh my butt off on our state police commercial here. They show a guy in a restored 66 ford truck getting a ticket for no seat belt. He never should have been stopped and should be able to have the ticket thrown out in reality. It would be easier to pay the ticket though than lose a days pay to prove your innocence.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
i've only been pulled over once in my highboy, people seem to avoid it like rust is contagious... cop didn't even ask for my info.
falcon has seatbelts (they were just an option) but its so small you can see im wearing it while standing at the door.
seat belts is probably the last ticket i will ever get, without them i feel like im gonna fall out.
falcon has seatbelts (they were just an option) but its so small you can see im wearing it while standing at the door.
seat belts is probably the last ticket i will ever get, without them i feel like im gonna fall out.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Valdosta, GA
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood, Wa
Here in WA its a primary, I got pulled over in my '74 4 or 5 times before I finally put in aftermarket 3 points ( check my gallery) Plus the cops here all have your wallet in mind when they pull you over, so they will look for the smallest thing to write you a ticket for, especially when they see a lap belt after the fact .... 
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
I've been driving around in my truck for 18 years with only a lap belt and have never been pulled over suspected for not wearing a seatbelt. Here in Washington it's a violation and they really have no way of knowing if you didn't have a lap belt on. They also know that a lot of older vehicles have only the lap belt.
OJ
OJ
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I have been pulled over 3 times in my 75 F100 4x4. Once for one turn signal was brighter than the other turn signal, another for community policing (that is what I was told no other reason), the last time a cop followed me for 6 miles past stop lights that I stopped at then he pulled me over and said my brake lights didn't work. I unhooked my lap belt and got out went to the back of the truck and asked him to press the brake pedal to see if they work. He would not do it. He handed my license back and I was soo pissed I just drove away. My brake lights were fine when I got home and checked them. This year the seat belt law is a primary so I guess i will get pulled over many more times for no reason!!! Just getting to hate cops!!! I am sure it doesn't help that I work 2nd shift and get off at 11:00 pm. They are just making up reasons to look for drunk drivers. BTW never got any tickets though, they just like pulling me over.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
Good question. I have a 77 truck that originaly came with shoulder belts, but a past owner cut the mounting plates out of the pillars in order to install speakers. I know how to fix it, but until I get to welding in the plates, I installed lap belts so I could drive the truck. I wondered what the law is that this. In rural WI, I can't see it being an issue, but was curious.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
They just started enforcing a law that went into effect last week. Whoever is not wearing a seatbelt gets the fine. All persons in an auto must have a seatbelt on.
They also made it a law that you have to get in the other lane when possible when passing a stalled or broken auto.(I thought it was already a law)
They also made it illegal to ride in the left lane unless you are passing another auto.(I thought that was a law too)
They also made it a law that you have to get in the other lane when possible when passing a stalled or broken auto.(I thought it was already a law)
They also made it illegal to ride in the left lane unless you are passing another auto.(I thought that was a law too)