Are just the lap belts in use on my car OK?

Question

I recently acquired a 1987 Toyota Camry. On this car it has the automated shoulder belt that engages when you start the car. Well,it's supposed to. The shouler belt funtion has never worked since I have had the car. The lap belts work perfectly.

Is this good enough as far as "click it or ticket" is concerned, or am I going to be hassled by "the man"?

Answer 1

You will be ticketed.  The only exemptions are for cars old enough that only lap belts were installed, and that is WAY older than 1987.  Fix your belts, or park the car, it is, legally, as simple as that, no "grey" area at all.

Answer 2

No it is not..............the laws for all states is the same, the vehicles original seat-belts must be in working order or yes you will be ticketed..

Answer 3

your gonna end up smashing your face into the dash in an accident and thats not gonna be good as you could probably imagine. you could be ticketed for it since its not a correctly functioning seatbelt

Answer 4

I think you have found a gray area. I think a judge would argue that your seatbelt is defective and that it must be replaced. A cool judge would make you bring in evidence of the repair and then let you off when you did. However for all intents and purposes you did "click it". Assuming of course, that you wear your belt every time you drive your car. I think if I were a cop that pulled you over expressly for not wearing a seatbelt because I couldn't see the shoulder part of it, then found out you did have the lap portion secured... I wouldn't write you a ticket but a warning and advise you have the belt replaced. But that's just me. Cops do look for the shoulder portion of the seatbelt to determine if you are wearing one. The shoulder portion is very important in a crash as well. It will keep you from eating dashboard and save your smile.  

Answer 5

I had an '88 Camry with the same problem, and I was able to fix it. It works kinda the same way as my garage door opener works. It has a limit switch at each end of it's travel so it knows when to stop.

There is also a switch in the door handle. It all goes to a control box under the console between the front seats.

I know that's not much help to you.

About your question, yes, I think you'll be ticketed for not wearing it properly, and you'll have to get it fixed. You may be able to wrestle it in the back position, and then disconnect it or pull a fuse. You'll have to climb under it each time, but it'll be legal and probably safe.

Good luck.

Answer 6

you gonna be ticketed

Answer 7

NO, the bottom part of the belt will only prevent you from not moving, you will get your head smashed into the dash and maybe worst, into the window =( so get them fixed, its just as bad as like using Jump Rope to keep you from getting hurt in a car.