Seatbelts

[101RRS]

As I have a Jag I also go on various Jag Forums. On one forum a Queenslander is going through the process of getting his 65 Jaguar back on the road and going through the roadworthy process. He has been told by Qld authorities that he has to replace his standard lap sash (non retractable) seat belts with modern inertia reel belts and was asking what belts to get (the reel has to work horizontally).

When I indicated that I understood ADRs were not retrospective and as long as his old belts were in good condition etc he should be Ok (based on numerous discussions on AULRO about belts or the lack of them in old landies) he responded as follows:

"Queensland has gone one up on ADRs. Schedule LO8 mandates I MUST
have a NEW complying lap-sash auto retracting belt."

Is this something new or has the guy been given bad information. If true it would mean all old vehicles would need to be fitted with inertia reel belts and as QLD does not allow interstate vehicles on QLD roads that do not meet its roadworthy requirements (even if legal in the cars home state) you would not be able to visit in old vehicles from elsewhere.

Now I am not wanting this to be a discussion on the rights or wrongs of seatbelts in older vehicles as I am all for making our old vehicles as safe as possible.

Thanks

Garry

[Mick_Marsh]

My '65 Merc passed a roadworthy with non-retractable lap sash seat belts in the front only. The ADR's at the time stated for that year "seat belts not required unless previously fitted".
The ADR's have changed. I had a browse through them a few weeks ago. I could not find that section so that section relating to seat belts may what he said. I'll have another read of them.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/design/adr_online.aspx

For vehicles manufactured up until July 1989, the application of the ADRs is the responsibility of the state and territory governments. Vehicle users should consult with their state or territory transport authority for the Second and Third Edition ADRs that apply to these vehicles.

State rules apply.

Still looking.

[Mick_Marsh]

This is interesting:

Mod Code approval under NCOP / QCOP - VSB 14 - in full force - from 30 April 2013:-

LA1 – Equivalent Engine substitution
LA2 – Performance Engine installation

LA3 – Turbocharger and supercharger installation
LA4 – Engine modifications

LB1 – Transmission substitution
LB2 – Rear axle substitution

LG1 Brake system conversion (design) LG2 – Brake system conversion (modification)
LH1 - Roof Conversion Conversion (design)
LH2 - Roof conversion Conversion (modification)
LH3 - Modified wheelbase conversion (design)
LH4 - Modified wheelbase conversion (modification)
LH5 Vehicle Construction - (design)
LH6 Vehicle Construction - (modification)
LH7 - Body / chassis variants conversion
LH11 - Campervan / motorhome conversion

LK1 – Seat & Seat Belt Installation
LK2 - Seat & Seat Belt Anchorage (design)
LK6 - Child Restraint Anchorage Installation.
LM1 – Fuel Tank Alteration
LO1 - Australian Design Rule Compliance
LO2 - ICV and passenger car Compliance

LO3 - Personally Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance for Registration
LO8 - Pre 1972 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Inspection

LS1 – LHD Steering Conversion (design)
LS2 – LHD Steering Conversion (modification)
LS3 – Front suspension and Steering Conversion (design)
LS4 – Front suspension and Steering (modification)
LS5 – Rear suspension and Steering Conversion (design)
LS6 – Rear suspension and Steering (modification)
LS9 - High lift 50 - 125mm (design)
LS10 - High lift 50 - 125mm (modification)

LT1 – Beaming and Torsional Testing
LT2 – Lane Change maneuvering Test
LT4 - Noise Test

Was the vehicle imported?

[101RRS]

The guy did mention LO8 which does imply modern Aussie Compliance of a pre 72 imported vehicle.

The poster on the other forum did not indicate when the vehicle came into Aust.

Garry

[Mick_Marsh]

ADR 5A (Second Edition) states seat belt anchorage points are required for the front seats in passenger cars manufactured after 1/1/1969 and seat belt anchorage points are required for the rear seats in passenger cars manufactured after 1/1/1971

ADR 4 (Second Edition) states seat belts shall be provided for each seating position for which seat belt anchorage points are required by Australian Design Rule 5A

ADR 4 also suggests you can have seat belts with or without retractors.

As I read it, the car is pre 1969 and these ADR's do not apply so therefore seat belts are not required.

If the car is imported, the above may not apply.
www.tmr.qld.gov.au/.../VSIL31SeatBeltsForUsedImportedVehicles.pdf (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/www.tmr.qld.gov.au/.../VSIL31SeatBeltsForUsedImportedVehicles.pdf)

Applies to
• Commercially imported used vehicles, less than 15 years of age
when imported into Australia;
• Commercially imported used vehicles built prior to 1/1/89; or
• Personally imported used vehicles less than 15 years of age.
NOTE: There is no category for a personally imported vehicle that is
more than 15 years of age.

[mick88]

At the end of the day it will make it a safer vehicle in a prang, so well worth the effort and expense!

Cheers, Mick.

[chazza]

As I read it, the car is pre 1969 and these ADR's do not apply so therefore seat belts are not required.
.[/I][/COLOR]

I agree Mick; however; the disclaimer on the Federal Govt website points out that State Govt legislation also applies; so there are two sets of rules to digest with probably the variable of State officials thrown in, who interpret their own regulations incorrectly ;)

Cheers Charlie

[Mick_Marsh]

I agree Mick; however; the disclaimer on the Federal Govt website points out that State Govt legislation also applies;
Yep. As I pointed out in post 2

so there are two sets of rules to digest with probably the variable of State officials thrown in, who interpret their own regulations incorrectly ;)

That's why you should do you research first. When I got the Mini roadworthiied, the mechanic told me the seat belts did not conform to the ADR's (which was bull ****) but he just happened to have a good s/h set form a RX7. He sold them to me for $50. They were easier to use belts as they were inertia reel with a solid stalk.
As Mick says

At the end of the day it will make it a safer vehicle in a prang, so well worth the effort and expense!

Cheers, Mick.
However, there are a few exceptions.
Those vehicles that are to be used in concours.
Those vehicles that don't have seat belt mounts fitted. The engineering to have approved seat belt mounts fitted may be quite expensive.