Okay, so I'm going to open up a can of worms here, since I think it is somewhat relevant/related, moderators, feel free to split this off into a separate thread...hopefully I won't be sticking my foot in my mouth too badly!
So, I'm reading this:
http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us/driverli ... cting.html
Nowhere does it really specify what type of restraining device must be used (aside from the using the verbage "seat belt") except later on when it discusses restraining a child in the bed of a pickup (it says FMVSS approved, which it quotes a strength test).
I know this is an old discussion, some of which I think involves some wives tales and not too many facts when I've talked to other car enthusiasts. Is there a law on the books someone can point to that dictates what type of restraining device you must use, or am I missing it in the above website's text (that it MUST be DOT approved/etc)? Am I in the wrong scope and the answer lies in some national vehicular code?
What if SFI/FIA compliance exceed FMVSS -- is that an acceptable substute (it should be)? Is there some reason I've blanked out on as to why a race harness isn't adequate protection on the street? <blank stare, can't quite understand why something better isn't acceptable aside from the fact that it IS a government entity dictating this...>
Where I'm going with this discussion, is I'll bet that folks that have put in a Schroth 4-point system/DOT/FMVSS approved system have still gotten ticketed for not wearing a belt because of law enfarcement (sic) and I'm wondering if anyone has had the displeasure of being ticketed for only wearing your race harness?
I like my 6-point Sabelts, will be replacing them on a regular basis to comply with racing rules of wear and tear, and would like to just use them on the street and not deal with buckling in the stock 3-point AND the 6-points to be "in compliance".
I guess the point I'm trying to make is stock belts in cars, which after a couple of years, certainly can't be as effective as when they rolled off the showroom floor if racing belts are now tested and have a "shelf-life" -- unless the materals the stock belts are made of don't degrade in sunlight as badly as race harnesses. Surely the belts of my new Sabelt is more effective at protecting me than the 10 year old original Mazda belts?
IIRC, in Japan, the stock restraints are replaced in the inspection/rebuild process when vehicles age more than something like 3 years, which is why used cars are cheap over there...
I'm not sure how cohesive my post is, but I think y'all get my point...any takers on sorting out the mess I've attempted to construct here?
TIA!