"equal restraint" question

[ubercooper]

Hi,
I just read the drivers ed manual and all the literature, and now that I need new seats to go with my 6pt harnesses, I was wondering if the seats (driver/pass.) have to be the same as well as the belts? I was hoping I could put a corbeau forza (fixed back) in the pass. seat and a CR1 (non-fixed back) in the drivers seat?
Thanks for the help
-Seb

[Larry Herman]

Equal restraints mean that the types must match, i.e. if you have a 5/6 point harness for the driver, you must have the same for the passenger.  As far as the seats go, you must have seats that come equipped with proper belt holes for the harnesses.  Whether they are fixed back or reclining is not an issue, athough the reclining seats are much weaker, and I would recommend running them with a seat back brace.

[Mike Andrews]

If I may add to this....

I think the question was can he have one style seat on one side and another type on the other side.  If that's not right then just ignore my answer.

The seat belt ruling was put in place to address certain issues with the stock seats.  Thus a seat that has cutouts for shoulder and sub belts are now required.  I do NOT read the equal restraints rule as equal seats.  They must both have provisions for belts but one can be ultra narrow and the other ultra wide or one fixed and the other reclining.  There are a number of guys that mix seats for size reasons and then for access to the back seats.

Just use this guideline, if the instructor doesn't feel safe on the "other" side of the car he (or she) is not required to stay there, which only hurts you while they sort out the issue.  Please, do not skimp on any of the safety equipment.  Chances are you will not need it, but if you do.......

 

 

[Wally]

Mike has it right.