19 replies to this topic

[tiger99]

That presents an interesting dilemma! I have yet to see a dog belted in properly in any car, and as you can imagine, a St Bernard or even a big soft thing like a Boxer or Labrador would be a hazard to front seat passengers in a crash. I have also never seen a dog guard in a Mini, although it may be possible.

[cambiker71]

What worries me greatly is the utter negligence, not for the first time, by some pen-pusher at VOSA, because a belt that does not work is a potential killer, so for safety's sake it is ESSENTIAL that they are tested for correct operation. If it needs something special, such as tilting the car to activate a deceleration sensor, well a suitable test rig needs to be devised and incorporated into the test.

 

No other safety-critical industry would accept the situation where a vital item was untested, and it would never have been allowed to be fitted in the first place if its design made it untestable. The fact that we are debating this here, as intelligent adults, is an utter disgrace, because there should be nothing to discuss. Shame on you, VOSA, yet again....

 

Now can the sensible people here (which includes everyone in this debate so far) think up a good way of testing it properly, other than standing the car on its nose?

 

They're very easy to test, drive at 20mph and stand on the brakes, inertia belts will lock and you'll feel it!

Just yanking them out to see if they lock is not mentioned in the MOT manual methods of inspections, but if they don't lock into the buckle then that's a different story...

 

see here...    http://www.motinfo.g...m3i00000001.htm

 

Contents, section 5!

[CityEPete]

That presents an interesting dilemma! I have yet to see a dog belted in properly in any car, and as you can imagine, a St Bernard or even a big soft thing like a Boxer or Labrador would be a hazard to front seat passengers in a crash. I have also never seen a dog guard in a Mini, although it may be possible.

This is in my 57 minor 4 door saloon, you can actually buy a proper seat belt attachmemt for dogs, it then fits to a body harness rather than around its neck!

[tiger99]

cambiker71, good advice, so why not make it an essential part of the test, as most owners will never bother to do it "because accidents never happen to them"?

 

CityEPete, very interesting, and I don't intend to get a dog, but out of curiosity I will be looking to see one of these dog belts in action!

[CityEPete]

http://www.petsathom...s/dog-seat-belt