How safe are seat belt extenders?

[awemawson]

A non internet connected friend has asked me to look into seat belt extenders, as people have problems finding the female part to insert the belt buckle itself.

Now I see that basically there are two types - a very short belt with plug and socket, and a ridgid even shorter part again with the male and female parts. I think for him the later would be best but there seem to be lots of bukle sizes, and 'universal' ones that seem made narrow enough to fit all sockets.

I can appreciate the need - I have problems in the rear seat of his car, BUT are these things safe ?

NB this is NOT to accomodate people of larger girth but rather to help in actually finding the socket in a packed three across rear seat.

 

[stuvy]

My mate is 23 stone and has one, no issues when he had a bump in his works van a while back

 

[Agroshield]

I do not know if it is possible to assess safety by seeing who sells them, but these two companies do so and they seem legitimate:

Safety Belt Services | Seat Belt Extensions

Our range of seat belt extensions are designed to assist with the seat belt fitments where the belt is too tight, and to assist pregnant women and disabled people. Within the range are extensions for cars, mini buses and coaches. Extensions are approximately 9 inches long but can be tailored to...

www.safetybeltservices.co.uk

Seat Belt Extenders - Des Gosling Mobility

These extensions are available in two forms: a rigid extension and a webbing belt. Click to find out more.

www.desgoslingmobilityltd.co.uk

 

[James1979]

A non internet connected friend has asked me to look into seat belt extenders, as people have problems finding the female part to insert the belt buckle itself.

Now I see that basically there are two types - a very short belt with plug and socket, and a ridgid even shorter part again with the male and female parts. I think for him the later would be best but there seem to be lots of bukle sizes, and 'universal' ones that seem made narrow enough to fit all sockets.

I can appreciate the need - I have problems in the rear seat of his car, BUT are these things safe ?

NB this is NOT to accomodate people of larger girth but rather to help in actually finding the socket in a packed three across rear seat.

I am not a seatbelt ergonomics expert, but to my way of thinking the three points of anchorage are off the body and on the vehicle.

If you used an extender when you’re not of extra girth, surely you’re moving the anchor point over the pelvis?

That was a lot of the fuss about middle seat lap belts I seem to remember.

Just my way of thinking. May be wrong but if you’re in an accident you need it pulling in the right places though.

 

[tom2207]

they use them on aircraft so they cant be that bad.

 

[MetalMonkey]

they use them on aircraft so they cant be that bad.

They aren't really designed to save your life on an aircraft though - just to stop you being bumped around and injured in turbulence and of course to help identify the corpses if you crash

 

[James1979]

They aren't really designed to save your life on an aircraft though - just to stop you being bumped around and injured in turbulence and of course to help identify the corpses if you crash

Yeah if that bad boy crashes 2” of webbing ain’t gonna matter a fk!!!

 

[bricol]

I am not a seatbelt ergonomics expert, but to my way of thinking the three points of anchorage are off the body and on the vehicle.

If you used an extender when you’re not of extra girth, surely you’re moving the anchor point over the pelvis?

That was a lot of the fuss about middle seat lap belts I seem to remember.

Just my way of thinking. May be wrong but if you’re in an accident you need it pulling in the right places though.

That would be my thinking too.

An extender around the much larger than normal frame will probably usually mean the triangle of the main part of the 3 pointer still passes over the main body bits. Stick on a person of more average girth, and I would think its more a lap belt with a bit up one side ready to bust your shoulder and spin you around?

 

[Turbo]

Are you aware that not all seat belt are universal fitment? So you might need to get vehicle specific extenders.

There are also cheap ones out there made from poor quality materials. A mate gave me 2 he used to stop the seat belt alarms bleeping when he was setting up a rally stage. The male bit was thin soft steel that was easily bent, wouldn't like to rely on them in an accident!

 

[Gareth J]

If you can find the bolt point, under the seat, I'd look into seeing if something out of a different model would be slightly longer and land the holsters a bit more accessibly.

 

[Keithmac]

I'd want a TUV approved one if any at all..