In my opinion, DOT certification is one more way the government can squeeze people for money. The companies have to pay to be certified, and if you have something that's not DOT certified on your car, you have to pay a ticket. I'm not saying that DOT certification isn't necessary, but it's WAY too strict, and become more of a money making beaurocracy than something to protect people.

By the way, Schroth does offer a model of 5-point belt that has an anti-submarine strap, AND is DOT legal.

 

Wow, thread resurection.

DOT isn't a money making certifiction process for the goverment, it is a money saving process for insurance companies. If there were no certification process, and anything that was "generally accepted as safe" was allowed on the road, think what the insurance companies would do! All the wild claims - our rates would soar! DOT really isn't that much of a money maker for the government at all.

As well as the previously listed reasons, cages and harnasses are also illegal for the street due to reduced mobility within the car, and ease of rescue. If you are involved in an accident, it is harder for EMS to extract you with 5 belts and a roll cage. EMS are also generally not trained to deal with those systems. At least that's part of the lecture that the police gave my friend as the tow truck was coming to pick up his race car. He got caught driving on the street in his 3 series: when the cop took one look at the full cage, and harnass and ordered it to be towed.

 

I don't see what the big deal is. Just use the stock belts when you're on the street, and use the harnesses when you're at the track.

 

Yo,

I've been wearing Schroth Rallye 4's in my Scirocco for years. I've been pulled over with them on...no ticket. One would hope cops have better things to do than bust me for extra safety belts.

The Schroth's have an anti-submarining system built in. ASM and alla that.

The reason I wear them on the street is my stock belts are now...*gasp*...22 years old. I don't trust them not to tear in a severe accident. That, and my car weighs about 2000lbs...vs. a bloated 4700lb SUV and I'm in deep doo doo.

I'll take my chances with the 4 point holding my ***...and head...in place.

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Is there a problem officer?"

 

All I can say on the subject is U.k. law has no problems with it. I have 4 point harness..............................and a F40 come with 4 point harness as standard so I would think its legal everywhere.

 

I've been pulled over for a burnt out brake light and the officer was like... "5 point?" and I'm like "...yeah"

He shined his light in to check the mounts. He looked at the door and said "auto seat belts" and I'm like "...yeah"

Then he shined his ligt in my lap so I could get my ID out of my wallet. He chuckled and said "lap belt" I i'm like "...yup"

He grinned and said "Guess I can't really give you a ticket for wearing 3 seat belts"

He asked me if I always where all three, and I said no. He mentioned that the 5pt was more than enough. He didn't mention anything about it being illegal either. Ended up giving me a verbal warning after checking all extereior lights.

I've since removed the 5pt because I did some carpet work. Haven't put them back in yet. I always made a joke about how I can use three belts though. Anyways...