I’ve been following an ongoing online discussion. Motorized RV owners are debating about seatbelts. The question posed to the RVers: Do you wear your seatbelt while RVing?
A bit of history
You may know that in the late 1950s, car manufacturers began installing seatbelts in passenger vehicles. Then, in 1968, the federal government stipulated that all new cars must have an integrated lap and shoulder seatbelt in the front seats of newly manufactured vehicles, if the lap belt alone didn’t protect the passenger from hitting the windshield.
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, less than 15% of drivers actually used their vehicle’s seatbelts. Then, in 1984, the state of New York was the first state to pass a law requiring the use of seatbelts by front-seat occupants. It didn’t take long for other states to follow suit. By 2020, 90% of front-seat passengers used their seatbelt restraining system.
Today
New Hampshire is the only state today that does not require front-seat adult passengers to wear a seatbelt. Children under 18, however, must be restrained in an appropriate child car seat, booster, or adult seatbelt. You can find information about today’s seatbelt laws for every state here.
Occasionally, no
Several discussion participants admitted they will briefly remove their seatbelt while their RV makes its way down the highway. Here’s their reasoning:
Robert explained, “On longer drive days, my wife will unbuckle and go to the kitchen. She quickly makes both of us a sandwich and then comes back to the front and buckles in. It works well for us because we can eat lunch without stopping.”
Janet commented, “I keep my seatbelt fastened except when using the restroom. It’s convenient to quickly use our Class A’s bathroom. Then I go back to my front seat and buckle in.”
Mostly no or never
A surprising number of RVers admitted that they rarely or never use seatbelts as they travel.
“We allow our kids to relax on their bunks as we travel in our Class A,” Max added. “They are much happier in their own spaces. It makes our entire trip better!”
Darla said, “My husband and I keep our front seat buckles fastened while traveling. However, I don’t demand that our two kids buckle up. I’m not sure our RV’s sofa seat buckles are safe. The sofas are installed on either side of our motorhome. I mean, aren’t seat belts designed for front-facing seats?”
John admits, “I know we should probably insist that our two children (ages 9 and 11) stay buckled up. When we’re in heavy traffic or driving in an urban area, they wear their seatbelts. But when we’re on the open road, with little to no traffic at all, they play on the floor or at the dinette. It’s worked ok so far.”
Your turn
So, how about you? Do you wear your seatbelt while RVing? Are you consistent or do you sometimes unbuckle? Please vote in our poll and then use the comments to explain your reasoning.
*RVtravel.com advises you to always wear a seatbelt while your RV is in motion. You never know what can happen, and this is the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones will stay safe.
##RVT1148b
Spent 26 years in the Navy and they required us to wear seat belts. If you didn’t, they would not cover medical expenses because you were in an accident and didn’t obey orders. One of our crew members was in that position and he owed over $50,000 before he was medically discharged. What a way to re-enter civilian life. Back in the 80’s this was well over the average sailors annual wage. Wife and I just got so use to wearing the belts, we now feel naked without them. Being a habit, it is so easy, I set in the Drivers seat, Start the Engine, Buckle up, turn on the Headlights and then proceed on our way. When we stop, the headlights go off, the belt is unbuckled and the engine is stopped
Ed, you gave me an idea, I always wear my seatbelt but I sometimes forget to turn the headlights on in the MH (they are automatic in my car). Now I will start forming a new habit of buckling up, headlights on, go! Thanks!
Hi Pat: yes to headlites! Many years ago Greyhound Bus Co. started using them and the positive results from reduced accidents finally trickled down to the auto industry – via the Gov’t of course…. I use them on the motor home and my car is also automatic too.
See and be seen for safety’s sake.
My aunt went through the windshield and was decapitated… Nuff said.
Oh, how awful. So sorry, Seann. But just your relating that may make some people think twice about whether or not they want to “take the time” to buckle up. So, thank you. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Crazy to see anyone admitting they don’t require their kids to buckle up. Only takes a second for something to happen that sends them through the windshield.
I see we have the same last name, where do you live? I live in Boise, ID.
Did I miss the poll?
Read all the answers, and it is obvious WHAT the poll is?
Thank you, however, when I read the article, the poll to vote box was not in the article.
35 years ago, while driving my dad to the store (with my 1 yr old daughter in her car seat in the back), I realized he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. I told him to put it on, and he responded “Oh, I don’t wear one because I’d rather roll with the car if we’re in an accident.” So, I responded, “Ok, so if we’re in an accident, do you think I’ll be able to ROLL YOUR CARCASS OFF OF YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER SO I CAN GET HER OUT OF MY CAR???” He wore one ever since.
Tow vehicle we’re always belted in. The law requires it in all but one state.
When I first started driving back in the ’60’s and cars didn’t come with seat belts I asked my father to have them installed and he did. I would watch car races and see the drivers walk away from incredible wrecks and that was my proof that they saved lives.
It’s such a habit, that I catch myself putting it on just to move my truck to let my wife get her car out of the garage.
I have been wearing seat belts ever since driver’s training classes in 1962. I like the secured feeling and the safety aspect. Don’t wear a seat belt and you may become a body part donor.
My vehicles don’t move with unbelted passengers. The people that drive with their kids unsecured and/or in the bunk are idiots. Nothing like ensuring your kids will be the first casualties in an accident. Hope their engine seizes so they can’t move…….
Three reasons I require seatbelts be on in any vehicle I drive:
I wear my seatbelt while travelling but remove it while backing my trailer.
Seatbelts, you bet, also when flying i always leave seatbelt on, even if seatbelt light is off.
Not wearing your seatbelt is about as smart as not wearing a good helmet when you ride your motorcycle!!!
As a seat belt survivor in a car crash, wheels do not turn until everyone is belted in.
rvtravel readers and commenters tend to be a “senior” group. There is a common denominator amongst most seniors; common sense.
Actually, the people I know who refuse to use a seatbelt are seniors. The later generations are used to it and it is a habit.
Appears about 5% of respondents are organ donors.
The world needs organ donors. And I’m in favor of it being voluntary!
Happy to see that for the most part, we are a safety oriented, law abiding group.
We have a class A. I always wear my seatbelt unless I need to use the restroom.
When I took Driver Education in the spring of 1973, my teacher required us to drive with seat belts buckled (around us, not beneath us) and our headlights active (aka, “on”). So, using my seatbelt has been a habit now for over 50 years. DW does unbuckle to use the bathroom, or to get food while the RV is in motion. She picks her moments, usually when traffic is sparse and we are well-between complicated maneuvers such as merging or exiting an interstate. She also usually admonishes me to hold a steady course (e.g., do not change lanes) throughout her absence from the co-pilot seat. Thank you for the question and have safe travels! 🙂
My only exception is at creep speed when parking.
As a believer in the value of seat belts, I installed my own before they became standard equipment.
Me, too! Installed them in my ’40 Plymouth in the fifties.
Robert & wife who are eating a sandwich while driving , hey nothing distracted about that , are an example of the kinds of folks on the road that cause me to wear my seatbelt for a bit of extra protection .
So not insisting your kids wear their seatbelts has “worked out well so far”. I have no words….So irresponsible.
Seat Belts…..not for just for smart people.
Long before it became a law, when I was a kid, if the vehicle had them, I wore them.
Back in 1951, I installed them in my dad’s 1951 Ford Country Squire station wagon. I had taken a couple of airplane rides with CAP and that convinced me that sudden stops are not good – especially when involving hard objects!
We inherited a camper van from my grandparents. I installed a seat for our daughter behind the passenger seat. Dodge was really helpful as they had predrilled bolt holes for the seat and the 3-pt seat belt. Our daughter, a very independent 3 yr old, would buckle herself into the seat (with a booster). We sang the “Buckle up for Safety Song” as we buckled in. One day we were running a little late and I started to move out of the driveway. From the back seat came a “blood curdling scream”. Stopping and expecting the worst, I heard her screaming voice from the back, “I’m not buckled!” That was the last time we ever put the car into gear before asking if everyone was buckled in.
This was a hard read for me.. A three-point seat belt, across the lap and chest, should be used before you turn on the ignition. I have had three personal incidents.in my life where the standard three-point harness would have saved lives – one of them being my brother- with the lap belt on. Buckle up, people. The strangest, weirdest accidents DO happen.
I was a volunteer firefighter on the rescue truck. Most accidents that we went to that involved a fatality, the victim was not wearing a seatbelt/restraint. Those that were restrained had a higher survival rate and fewer injuries. As one of the less on the truck, there was extensive training involved, and not only techniques is extrication but statistics on factors of the specific injury involving speed, size and weight of the individual as well as make, model and year of the vehicle. This was before airbags. Today, it bothers me to see occupants of motor vehicles unrestrained. They are designed to be worn correctly over the shoulder and across the waist, not behind you or under the arm.
I’ve been in a few accidents and Seatbelts on in car, truck, or plane before ignition.
Regular user prior to 1968, after never.
I like the idea that NASCAR drivers wear them. And they drive alongside other guys that know how to drive.
Yes, it’s the law here, and with the way many people drive, it is needed. Dog has seat belt also. If in an accident, a dog is scared and will run off and be lost or killed. Or hit the windshield. Too many people think it won’t happen to them.