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seat belts in motorhomes


Guest Dorothy

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Guest Dorothy
WE are planning on buying a 1999 Autotrail Scout which will be our first motorhome, it has a U shaped lounge at rear and side facing bench behind cab. This will be our first motorhome - 95% of the time just the 2 of us will travel, but occasionally we would like to take friends, there are no seat belts fitted to any rear seats, will it be illegal for us to carry passengers? I understand law is changing Jan 2006, but cannot seem to find out about older motorhomes and the law re seat belts. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
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Are you sure that this Autotrail Scout does not have seat belts in the forward facing bench seat in the mid dinette area?. Many people let them hang inside the cupboard below. Our Scout (1997) certainly has seat belts fitted as standard to a stout steel superstructure built into the seat base and back. Suggest you go back and have a closer inspection.
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Hi Dorothy My understanding of the Law is that if there are seat belts fitted they must be worn, however, if there aren't any then obviously can't be and you are able to carry passengers but obviously they must be made aware of the risks involved. Also, make sure your insurance company are happy for you to carry passengers as they may not have included this in your insurance thinking it was only going to be used for 2 people. If you find that there are belts fitted to the side settees, do not under any circumstances use them, remove them - they are lethal in an accident as they can cause massive internal injuries - remove them immediately so you can't be temped to try them. MelB
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Yes MelB is correct If they are fitted they must be worn Except to the sideways facing seats The change in the law does not apply to pre registered vans You can get a full account via MMM technical pages You would have to contact the editorial staff to find it Dont attempt to fit them yourself as they have to be fitted to some (unsure of exact details) secure point of anchor
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Guest Derek Uzzell
Dorothy: If you search the forum using "seat belts" (omit the quotes) you'll come across a fair amount of useful information on this subject, including a posting on the forthcoming seat-belt regulation changes with a reference to the MMM article PeteC mentions. I echo Clive's perplexity as the current Scout also has the same layout as his 1997 model with a pair of forward-facing belted seats as part of the front Pullman-dinette group. Perhaps 'your Scout has been modified.
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