Hardware Issues in a Mandatory Use Law State

An Occupant Protection Information Hot Line was established following passage of the mandatory safety belt use law in Ohio. Records of the nature of over 14,000 calls received to date have been maintained- Based on these hot line calls and other communications, several hardware issues were identified as being viewed by the motoring public as significant problems. Some of the problems can be addressed through improved education, however, others need to be reviewed by the manufacturing industry in order to improve public acceptance and use of safety belts. The problem areas identified include the following: 1) extenders, 2) release mechanisms, 3) angle of shoulder harness, 4) rear and center front seat harnesses, 5) repair and installation issues.