Activism Change

Seat belts

Question:

One way that I am luckier than some people is that my husband is

huge. Consider yourself a lucky woman.  I find large men very attractive.  Of course I think large women are attractive too!  :-) I am not sure I could generate his interest in this seat belt issue –

I am not sure he’d wear them any way (yes, he’s a bad boy!). Marianne, if he won’t wear them for his own safety, he might wear them for yours.  I have a relative who related a story to me that happened in her family.  Three people were riding in the front seat of a car, and the driver, a large woman, wasn’t wearing her belt.  There was an accident, and everyone ended up on the passenger side.  The person in the middle died in the impact.  Had the driver been wearing a belt, this might not have happened. We have a responsibility to wear seat belts, if not for our own safety, to make other passengers in our vehicles safer. I hadn’t ever really thought I was risking anyone’s life but mine when I didn’t wear a seat belt.  Hearing about this incident made me think of seat belts in a whole new light. Elizabeth Before you buy.

Response:

I also hope you’ll take a minute and write NHTSA an email and ask them to change the regulation so that everyone who fits in a particular vehicle can fasten the seat belt.

Just a little plug…I have a ‘97 Toyota Corolla and the seat belts in that car are quite adequate. I weigh ~260 lbs and I have room to spare with their belts, front and back seats. My in-laws have a Saturn. While the front belts fit me fine, the back seat ones are skimpy and I can’t use them. I think a lot depends on the individual car makers, but I agree that everyone deserves to have seat belt protection in an automobile. Regina [This space under construction] Y2K aerobic challenge:680 minutes done. 1320 to go!(10/12/99) "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."—Anonymous

Response:

As you are probably aware, there are laws in 49 states requiring seat belt use.  Unfortunately, the code of federal regulation only requires automobile manufacturers to provide seat belts that fit people up to 6 ft tall and 215 lbs. Elizabeth Fisher

One way that I am luckier than some people is that my husband is huge.  The truth is, I am on him about losing weight – he never says anything to me. It’s kind of funny –  no matter what I weigh, he weighs 100 pounds more than me. He is 6′3", 290ish, and seatbelts are not the only problem.  He travels quite a bit for work (he’s away right now) and he has a terrible time sitting in airplane seats.  They aren’t made for people his size at all!  I am not sure I could generate his interest in this seat belt issue – I am not sure he’d wear them any way (yes, he’s a bad boy!). Marianne

Response:

Hi all! This isn’t a topic directly related to dieting, but I think it’s an issue that some of you might be interested in.  Please forgive me for a slightly off-topic post.  :-) As you are probably aware, there are laws in 49 states requiring seat belt use.  Unfortunately, the code of federal regulation only requires automobile manufacturers to provide seat belts that fit people up to 6 ft tall and 215 lbs. If you’re smaller than that, you may think this is an issue that doesn’t concern you, but it does.  Would anyone want to have an unbelted person come flying at them in an accident, regardless of their size? I’ve created a website (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us) with information about seat belts for larger people.  If you’re interested in doing some activism that might save someone’s life, or at the very least keep them from getting a ticket for not wearing their seat belt, please write the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us/nhtsa.html) and ask them to change this outdated regulation. Elizabeth Fisher "Seat belts should fit EVERY body!" http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us Before you buy.

Response:

anita-arielle, r u serious? only 215 lbs. that’s so insane. most guys i know who are 6′ or taller weigh more than 215 lbs, and they are not even overweight at all!! i would say setting that limit probably leaves out at least 10% of the population!

Yes, it’s true!  I hope you went and looked at the regulation so you saw it for yourself (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us).  I just couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it!  I also hope you’ll take a minute and write NHTSA an email and ask them to change the regulation so that everyone who fits in a particular vehicle can fasten the seat belt.  good job on the activism! =)

Thank you, thank you! Elizabeth Fisher "Honda, if you want to protect me in fender benders, how about providing me with seat belt extenders?" http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us Before you buy.

Response:

Hi all! This isn’t a topic directly related to dieting, but I think it’s an issue that some of you might be interested in.  Please forgive me for a slightly off-topic post.  :-) As you are probably aware, there are laws in 49 states requiring seat belt use.  Unfortunately, the code of federal regulation only requires automobile manufacturers to provide seat belts that fit people up to 6 ft tall and 215 lbs.

r u serious? only 215 lbs. that’s so insane. most guys i know who are 6′ or taller weigh more than 215 lbs, and they are not even overweight at all!! i would say setting that limit probably leaves out at least 10% of the population! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you’re smaller than that, you may think this is an issue that doesn’t concern you, but it does.  Would anyone want to have an unbelted person come flying at them in an accident, regardless of their size? I’ve created a website (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us) with information about seat belts for larger people.  If you’re interested in doing some activism that might save someone’s life, or at the very least keep them from getting a ticket for not wearing their seat belt, please write the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us/nhtsa.html) and ask them to change this outdated regulation. Elizabeth Fisher "Seat belts should fit EVERY body!" http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us Before you buy.

 good job on the activism! =) anita-arielle 30"/28.5"/27" size 10/6-7/5?

Response:

By all means, be as loud as you like.  But when you try to use force — i.e., the government — to *make* other people do what you want, you have crossed into another realm entirely. That is why I mentioned publicity and a boycott.  Both of those things are legitimate actions of change-seeking consumers.  But trying to use force —  to *make* someone change their products to be more to your liking — is not.

Melissa, I understand what you’re saying, and what you’re suggesting is exactly how I started my campaign back in January.  Despite media attention (newspaper, radio, television and magazine) and much contact from concerned consumers, Honda still says no.  (Details on some of the media coverage are on my website: http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us.) I am not the first person to complain to Honda about the problems larger people are having with their seat belts not fitting.  I know of others who just got tired of fighting Honda, or not getting any response from them.  It took them a great deal of time to respond to my first letter to them.  Do you know what they told me when I called and asked what the delay was?  EVERY time they said it was because their legal department was reviewing the letter they’d written me.  What kind of a company is it that defers to their LEGAL DEPARTMENT over a passenger safety issue, instead of their engineering department? And as far as a boycott goes, I imagine Honda wishes I would boycott their company.  It is my opinion that Honda does not want fat people driving their cars.  They went so far as to send me a certified letter before I purchases my Honda Odyssey that I waited three months to get. In the letter they encouraged me to back out of the purchase agreement, which they "generously" agreed not to hold me to.  They went so far as to offer to help me buy a Toyota Sienna, because Toyota does have seat belt extenders available.  Do you think those are the actions of a company who is going to be upset if I boycott them? There is a lot of information on my website that details and documents my experience with Honda.  For anyone who is interested in reading more, just go to http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us and click on the "Is Honda trying to drive fat people away?" link. Elizabeth Fisher "Honda, if you want to protect me in fender benders, how about providing me with seat belt extenders?" http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us Before you buy.

Response:

I am not the first person to complain to Honda about the problems larger people are having with their seat belts not fitting.  I know of others who just got tired of fighting Honda, or not getting any response from them.

Might I suggest then, that people not purchase their products? Ford and General Motors are committed to customer satisfaction, and design their vehicles for all sizes of people. — 173/154/140 by 1-1-2000/110 If you stop eating, you won’t lose weight, you’ll just die fat. Before you buy.

Response:

I understand what you’re saying, and what you’re suggesting is exactly how I started my campaign back in January.  Despite media attention (newspaper, radio, television and magazine) and much contact from concerned consumers, Honda still says no.

Well, that’s their decision.  It doesn’t mean it’s OK to try to force them to change.  Part of freedom is the fact that other people will make some decisions you don’t like.  (Details on some of the media coverage are on my website: http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us.)

Yeah, I glanced over your stuff.  It sounds like you’re getting some good publicity, which could well influence the thinking at Honda.  They went so far as to send me a certified letter before I purchases my Honda Odyssey that I waited three months to get. In the letter they encouraged me to back out of the purchase agreement, which they "generously" agreed not to hold me to.  They went so far as to offer to help me buy a Toyota Sienna, because Toyota does have seat belt extenders available.

I didn’t see any mention of that on your web site. It sounds like they bent over backwards to try to satisfy you. They not only offered to release you from your contract, but actually offered to help you purchase a competitor’s product? That’s not something you see every day. They probably have legal concerns about how much liability they’d assume if they made extenders.  If they start losing the supersized market to Toyota et al, they may well reconsider. That’s business. Manufacturers choose what they are going to make, and we can’t always get exactly what we want from every manufacturer. Personally, I’m annoyed by the fact that I can’t get Playtex bras in my size — I really liked their bras when I could wear them.  But I’m not going to try to get the government to force them to manufacture bras to fit me, because their product line is theirs to determine. Why do you want to drive a Honda so badly?  The Toyota offer sounds pretty good from here. — Melissa                 The Y2K Aerobic Challenge! 140/110/110             Grand total: 183 minutes Goal!                   This week:    45 minutes Before you buy.

Response:

I’ll be needing a new vehicle soon, and I’ll take your experience into account by avoiding Honda.  However, I won’t be trying to *force* them to change their products.  It’s their decision to make, even if you or I think it’s the wrong one. Oh boy, do I disagree with that!  As consumers, it is not only our right but our DUTY to be loud mouthed pains in the butt when we don’t feel corporations are doing the right thing!

By all means, be as loud as you like.  But when you try to use force — i.e., the government — to *make* other people do what you want, you have crossed into another realm entirely. That is why I mentioned publicity and a boycott.  Both of those things are legitimate actions of change-seeking consumers.  But trying to use force —  to *make* someone change their products to be more to your liking — is not. — Melissa                 The Y2K Aerobic Challenge! 140/110/110             Grand total: 183 minutes Goal!                   This week:    45 minutes Before you buy.

Response:

I weigh over 350 lbs and drive a Neon.  The seat belt almost fits, but not quite.  I had no trouble getting a seat belt extender from the dealership (the manufacturer provides them at no cost).  My mother was able to get an extender for her Buick Skylark this way also.  At my last job, one of the company cars was a Honda, and I could not believe that the only manufacturer that won’t provide an extender (or so I’ve been told) also has the skimpiest seatbelt, I have ever seen in a car.  I had no problems with the Geo Metro, the Ford Festiva, or the Ford Escort (although I was about 75 lbs thinner when I owned the Escort) Colleen.

Response:

I’ll be needing a new vehicle soon, and I’ll take your experience into account by avoiding Honda.  However, I won’t be trying to *force* them to change their products.  It’s their decision to make, even if you or I think it’s the wrong one. — Melissa                 The Y2K Aerobic Challenge!

Oh boy, do I disagree with that!  As consumers, it is not only our right but our DUTY to be loud mouthed pains in the butt when we don’t feel corporations are doing the right thing! Marianne

Response:

As you are probably aware, there are laws in 49 states requiring seat belt use.  Unfortunately, the code of federal regulation only requires automobile manufacturers to provide seat belts that fit people up to 6 ft tall and 215 lbs. [snip] I’ve created a website (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us) with information about seat belts for larger people.  If you’re interested in doing some activism that might save someone’s life, or at the very least keep them from getting a ticket for not wearing their seat belt, please write the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://members.aol.com/nobelts4us/nhtsa.html) and ask them to change this outdated regulation.

Why don’t you contact the car manufacturers directly?  Publicity, possibly with the threat of a boycott, would probably be at least as effective as trying to use force to *make* manufacturers produce cars the way you want. Sounds like Honda doesn’t have much interest in serving their customers’ needs and desires.  If I were you, I’d take my money elsewhere. For what it’s worth, Nissan has always done right by me. I’ll be needing a new vehicle soon, and I’ll take your experience into account by avoiding Honda.  However, I won’t be trying to *force* them to change their products.  It’s their decision to make, even if you or I think it’s the wrong one. — Melissa                 The Y2K Aerobic Challenge! 140/110/110             Grand total: 183 minutes Goal!                   This week:    45 minutes Before you buy.

Response:

Just a little plug…I have a ‘97 Toyota Corolla and the seat belts in that car are quite adequate. I weigh ~260 lbs and I have room to spare with their belts, front and back seats. My in-laws have a Saturn. While the front belts fit me fine, the back seat ones are skimpy and I can’t use them. I think a lot depends on the individual car makers, but I agree that everyone deserves to have seat belt protection in an automobile. Regina

since we’re adding plugs with the seatbelts…since hubby is a huge SAAB fan, i’ve been driving one for quite some time…never had a problem with the belt, even at 268–granted it was a little snug though. did you guys know that the belt is supposed to go across your hip area? bladder level?  i thought that was interesting–the belt also fits better this way. just my two cents. Julie

Response:

Filed under: Boycott

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