Seat belt law for centre seat?!

[Spacevandy]

Does anybody know the seatbelt law regarding the centre front seat in my 1978 Dodge Spacevan.
It does not look to have ever been fitted with a seat belt. Some of the websites on seatbelt law only refer to the outboard front seats needing to have them fitted in vans.
I'm confused.

 

[Panky]

Some were fitted with a lap belt using the mounts for the outer seats. Not an easy thing fitting a three point belt as it needs to be fitted securely to the van body in some way.
The government website says you must wear a seat bely if one is fitted, if one has never been fitted then I guess you don't.

https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/overview

 

[jimberlake]

I fitted a lap belt from eBay...just make sure its the longest you can buy...first one I got was too short as it has to stretch a way

The Blue Toaster

 

[andrew]

Hi Andy, like Panky says you only have to wear a seat belt if one is fitted. I know this because when I got my van I asked a local PC and he confirmed it. But because of safety reasons in the cab I would be inclined to try and fit one if you can.

Member of the non-Facebook club.

 

[Hubbell]

Another point to consider is the way the engine cover is attached to the floor pan. Mine is attached using rubber things and under front impact I doubt the rubber things would with stand the sudden forward motion and thus the seat will fly forwards.

 

[Panky]

Not if the seat belts used the same anchorage points as the outer seats. Personally I wouldn't fit a lap belt, they can be dangerous too[xx(]

 

[Hubbell]

I was more referring to the point of not having to install a seat belt owing to the law. It's worse to use the centre seat without a belt as it could catapult you forwards.

 

[Panky]

In a front end crash I think you would be through the screen long before the seat moved[xx(]