NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1961 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1076

SENATE BILL 375

 

 

AN ACT TO REQUIRE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES ON CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES AND TO PROVIDE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SUCH ANCHORAGES AND FOR SEAT BELTS.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  Chapter 20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina is hereby amended by adding thereto a new Section to be designated G.S. 20‑135.2 and to read as follows:

"§ 20‑135.2.  Safety belts and anchorages. (a) Every new motor vehicle registered in this State and manufactured, assembled or sold after July 1, 1962, shall be equipped with sufficient anchorage units at the attachment points for attaching at least two sets of seat safety belts for the front seat of the motor vehicle. Such anchorage units at the attachment points shall be of such construction, design and strength to support a loop load strength of not less than five thousand (5,000) pounds for each belt.

"(b)      After July 1, 1962, no seat safety belt shall be sold for use in connection with the operation of a motor vehicle on any highway of this State unless it shall be constructed and installed as to have a loop strength through the complete attachment of not less than five thousand (5,000) pounds and the buckle or closing device shall be of such construction and design that after it has received the aforesaid loop belt load it can be released with one hand with a pull of less than forty‑five (45) pounds.

"(c)       The provisions of this Section shall apply only to passenger vehicles of nine (9) passenger capacity or less, except motorcycles."

Sec. 2.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 3.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 21st day of June, 1961.