Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2006 17:43:41 -0500 From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> Subject: Re: SeatBelt Replacement for 1996 SAAB 2.0L Convertable
Dave Hinz wrote: > On Tue, 07 Feb 2006 09:19:44 -0500, Fred W <Malt_Houndnospamm-me-not*yahoo.com> wrote: > >>ma_twain wrote: >> >> >>> The reason you don't want a "used" seat belt is because the nylon can >>> weaken under the stress of a accident - assuming the person was wearing >>>it. If you buy a used car, you should be able to tell from the body if >>>it was in an accident bad enough to stress the seat belt. You don't want >>>to find out the hard way if the "used" seat belt you purchased fails. >>>That could be the last mistake you make. >>> >>> >>That is an interesting theory, but I can not ever recall anyone having >>their seatbelts replaced after an accident unless there was actual >>damage to them. >> > > Agreed. I'll say it again - if the belt has been "stressed", you'll see > it as visible damage to the webbing or stitching. Further, if you're in > a crash that's so intense that the seat belts are damaged as a result of > it, you'll have much more to worry about than the condition of the > webbing. I've been to a lot of accidents (dozen years or so as an EMT), > and I can't think of a single case where a seatbelt failed - tons of > cases where the driver failed to _use_ it, but that's a different > problem. > > >>Oh, and the scare tactic you just used there makes it all the more >>compelling (not). Kind of like those chain emails that say you will >>have really bad luck (maybe even die!) if you don't forward the message >>to 10 of your closest friends... ;-) >> > > Ja, "last mistake you make" is a bit over the top, and just weakens his > overall point. > Check with the insurance companies on the repair list for cars in accidents - it is not an urban legend or "chain mail" rumor. As for the "last mistake you make" line, I worked over 20 years in an OR. I got handson/hands in experience with the poor decisions that driver made. More than one lingered on to a painful death.
