Illegal 3 Point Harnesses

[Paul]

Just been halfords. Went to buy some 3 point harnesses, couldnt find any.. So i toddled along to one of the staff, asked him where the 3 point harnesses are. He took me over to them.. One left in black.

I told him i wanted blue ones.
He then replied, "we're out of stock mate, im guessing you got bucket seats?"
I said "yes, when are you getting some more in?"
He then replied "Not sure mate, you do know that 3 point harnesses are illegal now dont you? They got banned last year as they're not safe enough."
So i was like ... "Really?"

Anyway, Is this true or what?

Am i better just getting 4 point harness?

And, Which do you prefer, 3 point or 4 point?

Thanks. Paul.

[SNewham]

Halfords talk out of their arse. They're not illegal but 4 points are obviously safer.

[Paul]

Big price difference between 3 point and 4?

[SNewham]

Big price difference between 3 point and 4?

not really, you can pick up cheap 4 points as well. I've got 3 points at the moment and they're fine for everyday use but I ideally want some decent ones in the future just in case.

[Wayne]

go for 4 point harnesses alot safer.

[saxo_2004]

Thats crap. i used to work for halfords and they talk out there arses.

[Paul]

Hmm ok cheers guys. Think i'll go for the 4-point :y:

Anyone selling any? *toddles off towards ebay* :P

[MaRiO89]

Bollocks mate, dont listen to them..

Also 3 points are fine for track use and road use..

[Paul]

Repping everyone :P

[Paul]

Come on vidal.. post you know you want to :P

[Mystic]

Lol think about it, a seatbelt or a harness...

Which looks or even just sounds safer?

[James]

Mine went through MOT with 3 points, can't be that illegal.

[Paul]

Harness :p

But in a way... a seat belt is a harness :P

[Paul]

Oh guys... I have a bucket seat in the passenger side.. bolted down securely and everything.. but no seat belt on it. Would it be wise not to get pulled over?

[KamRacing]

You need to get ones with a kite mark or equivelent for them to be road legal

[Paul]

You need to get ones with a kite mark or equivelent for them to be road legal

Got a picture mate? :A:

[vidal]

Come on vidal.. post you know you want to :P

Well, seeing as you asked, but you forgot the magic word!

As Kam rightly points out they must be kite marked to be legal, however it does not stop there. They must also be fitted to a structural member, and this is something often overlooked. A lot of hard work goes into seatbelt design and placement, with factors such as crush loading of the thorax and abdomen being taken into account - how many people do you see just finding somewhere to bolt their harnesses, and then finding that they would fail an MOT or VOSA roadside check?

It may be worth getting advice from a reputable MOT station prior to purchase and fitting, you will find that when it comes to MOT time, the harnesses, being non-standard, will be scrutinised more closely.

V.

[Steve]

not illegal at all, richie passed his mot last week with his........

[Quick]

Got a picture mate? :A:


http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/0/08/150px-Kitemark.png
Kitemark means it reaches British Stanards much the same idea as an E mark.

[jaysheepsloveme]

hi mate. yes kite mark needs to be clearly labelled on a white tag double stiched to the back of one of the shoulder straps. (i do m.o.ts) read book for you :) and also they can be bolted to the position of the original seat belt mounting point bolts.( not jus on the slide rails) have seen it...

[djmartin]

i passed my MOT with 3point harnesses so load of crap man.

only thing they did say to me was dont remove all the locks etc etc from the back seats.

but i told them i dont have anyone in the back seat as the harsess gets in the way so i got off with that lol.

some law about if you have front and rear seats you must have adiquate seat belts and locks in place for passengers.

[Vinny_VSX]

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/0/08/150px-Kitemark.png
Kitemark means it reaches British Stanards much the same idea as an E mark.

Hmm.. I wonder if mine has that. They are sparco ones, I think I will go check them now actually.