Seat belt options....

[Nickathome]

All the posts in this thread seem to be considering only installing seat belts to protect the wearer in a sudden stop situation. This is best shown in knattrass' concerns about the upper mounting point posted Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:54 AM.

This made me think that having a proper rollover cage would provide upper mounting point(s). Is everyone in this thread only discussing the use of seat belts in trucks with no rollover protection?

I first drove an M37 in 1964. I have owned M37's since 1992 and am reasonably familiar with their capabilities and limitations. I enjoy driving my original, stock M37 and use it within the capabilities for which it was designed. I mostly drive on trails. I also do some cross country exploring but avoid "EXTREME" terrain that is best suited for modified, purpose built trucks.

Because I choose where I drive, I choose to drive a truck with no rollover protection. I have two-point seat belts which I use in all on-road situations, but have found they sometimes restrict my reaching the 4WD selector levers when off-road. Here again, because I choose to drive slowly when off-road, there is usually little benefit from the belts there.

My point is that the level of occupant protection is based on where and how you drive and the use and type of seat belts must be considered as part of a total system.

Honestly, I have never considered the rollover situation, nor am I concerned about it. I have been driving for close to 30 years and have never had or even been close to a rollover in any of my vehicles. Of course there is always the chance, but the probability is very low IMO. I am concerned mostly with the jarring collision that may result in someone being thrown against the dashboard, etc, not a rollover. I too limit my driving and do so almost exclusively to on road applications where a rollover is alot less likely.

[Lifer]

I grew up in a time when no cars had seat belts and riding in the back of a farm truck without restraints was commonplace. I still own a '55 Pontiac with no seat belts and my '54 M37, also with no seat belts, and frequently drive a '54 Chevy fire truck with no seat belts. I'm not the least bit afraid to drive them that way. My newer vehicles do have seat belts, and I do use them now and then (whenever I remember to buckle up). When it comes to safety, I'm a firm believer that common sense and defensive driving are better "insurance" than seat belts and roll bars. If you don't allow yourself to get into a "situation," you won't need them.

[Paul in Kempner, TX]

I grew up with mechanical brakes, single master cylinder hydraulic drum brakes, bias ply tires, vacuum wipers, no seat belts, no passenger compartment padding, or any other efforts by the manufacturers to protect me.

I also grew up when most young drivers knew who their daddy was, and he taught them not to be the cause of a "situation". There were no cell phones or other distractions to drivers like there are in today's rolling amusement arcades. All these things that are more important to today's drivers did not exist to contribute to creating "situations" back then.

Off road, I - and I alone - manage my "situation". On road, everyone else contributes to the "situation". How can you say, "If you don't allow yourself to get into a 'situation,' you won't need them."? Please share your secret for controlling the "situation" with the rest of us who are confronted by many untrained and uncaring drivers on the road each day.

Thank you.

[Nickathome]

I must agree that you are not in control of the situation from the other driver's standpoint. That is for sure...

[Lifer]

For Paul and Nick...

That's where the "defensive driving" part comes in. As long as you have patience, eyes like a hawk, the reflexes of a striking rattlesnake, and exercise them at all times, you will have at least some control over the "situation."

I do try to remember and buckle up whenever I know I'm leaving the city limits of my sleepy little town. There are too many idiots out there not to.