Do you wear a seatbelt when riding in the BACKSEAT of a car?
- Thread starter warrenf
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Always. Been helped twice by seatbelts; head on by an 88 y/o who crossed the centerline and passenger in a Piper during a porpoise leading to a very hard landing.
Always. Though it can be hard to buckle those up with the receptacle so low in the seat - and my FAT rump!
Back in the 70's I was drive a big GM B-body with a front bench, big block 455 and Posi. I decided to try a "emergency" U turn on a vacant State highway really just for fun and driving dynamics investigation and learning.
When I attempted it, I slid over against the passenger side door across that Naugahyde bench! Luckily I was able to keep my left hand on the wheel and my left foot on the gas to pull it out of the spin.
Since then, I belt up to keep me in the seat with my road antics. Later I do it for safety too.
I did have a crash in a little Honda Accord 3 door hatch in 1983. The DS belts did nothing except rip my pants off as I flew towards the back side window. That's what happens when you hit a pole going backwards at about 40 MPH. I blame the unsafe honda seats, as the backrest's mild steel pan just folded in half above the recliner and gouged into my back. Almost killed. Then, Getting hit between the eyes with the DIN style "snap in" radio didn't help either. "WRKO coming at you with some Led Zepplin ...." SMACK!
Ouch....
Back in the 70's I was drive a big GM B-body with a front bench, big block 455 and Posi. I decided to try a "emergency" U turn on a vacant State highway really just for fun and driving dynamics investigation and learning.
When I attempted it, I slid over against the passenger side door across that Naugahyde bench! Luckily I was able to keep my left hand on the wheel and my left foot on the gas to pull it out of the spin.
Since then, I belt up to keep me in the seat with my road antics. Later I do it for safety too.
I did have a crash in a little Honda Accord 3 door hatch in 1983. The DS belts did nothing except rip my pants off as I flew towards the back side window. That's what happens when you hit a pole going backwards at about 40 MPH. I blame the unsafe honda seats, as the backrest's mild steel pan just folded in half above the recliner and gouged into my back. Almost killed. Then, Getting hit between the eyes with the DIN style "snap in" radio didn't help either. "WRKO coming at you with some Led Zepplin ...." SMACK!
Ouch....
As a young man I hardly ever wore seat belts. My sister rolled a Corolla on the freeway, the car rolled over 3 times but she was wearing her belt and emerged w/o a scratch on her. I've worn them ever since. I am hardly ever in the back seat. I honestly don't recall the last time, but yeah I sure do buckle up regardless. My step grandfather had hip problems ever since slamming into something while driving w/o one, as well. He was thrown across the cab. He always walked with a cane, had one every time I saw him.
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Thank you for your service and I know seeing that is unsettling.
I've heard that so many times.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Same where I live as well.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Yep always I always wear a seatbelt no matter what.
Yes always -- back or front!!! Literally putting your face through a windshield going 40 mph -- like I did -- you come to appreciate and respect safety belts and air bags.
Glad you are alive.
Yup. What he said.
Why would anyone not wear a seatbelt?
Because if the car is on fire, you will need to get out quickly! Also, I know a friend of an Aunt or Uncle who's second cousin was broadsided and would have died if he, or was it she, was wearing a seat belt.
Being sarcastic obviously, but that is honestly what I heard from various relatives when I started driving and wearing seatbelts. Of course these same folks scoffed at my Spitfire, saying something about "road hugging weight"
Good folks at heart, but times, knowledge and attitudes change.
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