When determining the belt length required for a person of a certain height, the most important measure is the sedentary circumference of the hip. The seated hip circumference of an occupant determines the length that the belt must travel to pass over the occupant to the lock. The sedentary hip circumference of the 95th percentile of adult males listed in FMVSS No. 209 is 47 inches (1199 mm). The estimated sedentary hip circumference of the 99th percentile adult (including males and females) in the U.S. population is 1509 mm (59 inches). [3] Whether seat belt extenders can be used safely lies more in their correct application than in the actual ability of the product itself to perform the function for which it was designed. When used as intended – for taller or obese adults who do not fit into a seat with a normal seat belt – these products have met the required safety standards. Under section 1926.601(b)(9), an employer is not required to provide a seat belt to an employee above the 95th percentile of the adult male test. However, there are precedents for the applicability of other general construction standards to protect these employees. Specifically, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Board stated: I know that the tests are complex and they also have to receive the nod of the vehicle.

But if IMMI does, they`ve already jumped at the chance because they make so many parts for vehicle belts and car seat buckles. Once the Agency determined the number of people who might need an additional belt length if all belts do not exceed the minimum length required by our standards, the Agency looked at how these tall people are currently being accommodated by vehicles on the market. For many reasons, manufacturers offer additional strip lengths beyond the minimum required by NHTSA. In response to our request, General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Honda provided additional information on the belt length of their respective 2003 models and models. Data from these four manufacturers includes 136 vehicle models. [4] These manufacturers each offer an additional belt length of 18 to 20 inches on average for the driver and right passenger in their respective 2003 model year vehicles. This extra belt length is more than enough to meet our estimate of what is needed for a person in the 99th percentile, including the extra length to walk the person`s torso. A detailed summary of additional belt length information by specific manufacturers/models from those manufacturers and any others we contacted can be found in the dock for this notice.

Based on the available data, it appears that most vehicles can equip all but the largest users with original seat belts. Seat belt extenders are designed for this purpose only – not for use with child seats. I explained the dangers of extenders above, as they change the location of the loop on the child. There are no sturdy extenders. The collision forces are extreme and as consumers, we don`t know what types of metallurgical companies they make. Those made by automakers say they shouldn`t be used with child seats, and child seat manufacturers say they shouldn`t use extensions. I think the easiest way is to find a narrower booster. It`s having to buy new seats when you think you don`t. An extension cord may seem like a practical solution for parents who have trouble fastening their children in booster seats in vehicles with recessed seat belt buckles. Bulky car seats can cover buckles, which prevents children from buckling up and is frustrating for parents who have to do it for them. Using an extension cord with a booster seat can change the geometry of a seat belt system in ways that weren`t considered during the development process, Burnett explained. For example, it can change the point where shoulder harnesses and lap belts meet.

If the extension cord is folded over the hard plastic of a booster seat, this can be another problem to protect your child. Section 208 of the FMVSS also regulates seat belts. In 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considered a petition to amend sections 208 and 209 to require that seat belts be required longer than the standards then in place. In its survey, NHTSA found that more than 85 percent of vehicle seat belts in place at the time were already longer than the minimum requirement. They also found that automakers often provided seat belt extensions free of charge to those who needed them. Ben Woodruff`s Nissan Juke manual states that using a seat belt extension with a child seat could result in serious injury or death. But the warning on the extension cord was vaguely worded „Do not use an extension cord unless physically necessary” and the booster seat manual said, „Contact your vehicle dealer for a seat belt extender.” It`s not very realistic, buying your car based on the fit of the car seats. It`s also impossible to predict that it won`t work in the future. For example, I bought my car 2 years ago and the car seats fit me well. Now that I`m plugging in a booster for the first time, I find it impossible to click on the seat belt with the booster in place. However, this was not what these extenders were designed for, and in a landmark case in the United States in 2013, a young child from Tennessee was involved in a car accident while strapped to his seat in the Nissan family with a seat belt extension.

Despite the fact that the belt extender in question was manufactured by Ford, Nissan`s owner`s manual specifically warns against using such extenders, and the family sued the blue oval because the little boy suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was ejected from his seat. If your car`s seat belt buckle is flexible and keeps falling off, which can make it difficult for some kids to buckle up, try our „pool noodle tip.” From this seated hip circumference, using a geometric approximation, the agency estimated the extra belt length needed to bypass the hips of occupants taller than the 95th percentile. We found that a person with the hip circumference of the 99th percentile from NHANES III data would need 254 mm (10.0 inches) of additional belt length above the 95th percentile required for a 95th percentile FMVSS No. 209 95e. Assuming that the 99th percentile person would wear bulky winter clothing (which the standard does not require), the agency concluded that the additional belt length required increases to 348 mm (13.7 inches). That`s a good question. Unfortunately, seat belt extenders cannot be used with car seats or booster seats. Both car manufacturers and car seat manufacturers prohibit it. For non-legal questions, you can contact Sanjay Patel, Office of Crashworthiness Standards. Phone: (202) 366-4583, Fax: (202) 366-4329.

Belts can also be extended using belt extensions. Belt extensions used only by people who need an extra length of strap would avoid some of the risks of increased speculation and deviation associated with longer straps. However, as described in the NHTSA Technical Report, a correct fit is required when belt extensions are used. If the position of the extender places the buckle at a maximum distance of 6 inches (152 mm) from the vertical axis of the occupant, the shoulder strap does not provide adequate trunk restraint and may pull the lap belt on the stomach during a frontal impact, which can cause greater deviation and/or internal injury.