Rule on 3 point passenger belt being fastened

[larrybard]

Don't know if this should be posted here or DE.  There seemed to be some confusion among those at my Summit work assignment about securing passenger side stock 3 point belts in a passenger-less car.  Clearly 5 or 6 point harnesses must be secured in an empty passenger seat to avoid loose belts flailing about dangerously.  But if the car has the usual stock 3 point belts -- which automatically retract against the passenger side -- must they be attached as if there were a passenger (i.e., locked into the receptacle on the left side of the passenger's seat)?

Larry

P.S.  Thanks to everyone for another successful event -- despite a few glitches due to coolant spills.  (A few of us were wondering what might be wrong with requiring non-air cooled cars to use only water in their system, so that a broken hose/leak would be relatively benign.)

[Brian Minkin]

Larry,

Although this is an issue for the Tech guys to rule on the I have never seen or heard of a requirment for 3 point factory belts to be connected if there is no instructor in the car.

[Wally]

Hi Larry, 3 point factory belts are NOT required to be fastened.  The purpose of having 5 or 6 point harnesses fastened is to prevent the belts from flying around in the cockpit while the driver has to concentrate on the coarse.  If this caused some question or problem this week, Steve or I could have straightened it out immediately. Glad you had a great time, there is more to come.  Be safe.

Wally