Lap Seat belt

a lap ( 2-point ) belt in airplane

a lap belt strap goes on waist. commonly installed type of belt prior legislation requiring 3-point belts, , found in older cars. coaches equipped lap belts (although many newer coaches have three-point belts), passenger aircraft seats.

university of minnesota professor james j. (crash) ryan inventor of , held patent on automatic retractable lap safety belt. ralph nader cited ryan s work in unsafe @ speed , in 1966 president lyndon johnson signed 2 bills requiring safety belts in passenger vehicles starting in 1968.

until 1980s, three-point belts commonly available in front outboard seats of cars; seats fitted lap belts. evidence of potential of lap belts cause separation of lumbar vertebrae , associated paralysis, or seat belt syndrome , led progressive revision of passenger safety regulations in developed countries require 3-point belts first in outboard seating positions , in seating positions in passenger vehicles. since september 1, 2007, new cars sold in u.s. require lap , shoulder belt in center rear seat.

besides regulatory changes, seat belt syndrome has led tremendous liability vehicle manufacturers. 1 los angeles case resulted in $45 million jury verdict against ford motor company; resulting $30 million judgment (after deductions defendant settled prior trial) affirmed on appeal in 2006.