seat belts became compulsory in victoria on 1 july 2010.
when did seat belts become compulsory in victoria?
1 july 2010
in the uk, a requirement for anchorage points was introduced in 1965, followed by the requirement in 1968 to fit three-point belts in the front outboard positions on all new cars and all existing cars back to 1965. successive uk governments proposed, but failed to deliver, seat belt legislation throughout the 1970s. front seat belts were compulsory equipment on all new cars registered in the uk from 1972, although it did not become compulsory for them to be worn until 1983. rear seat belts were compulsory equipment from 1986 and became compulsory for them to be worn in 1991. however, it has never been a legal requirement for cars registered before those dates to be fitted with seat belts. in one such attempt in 1979 similar claims for potential lives and injuries saved were advanced. william rodgers, then secretary of state for transport in the callaghan labour government (1976–1979), stated: "on the best available evidence of accidents in this country - evidence which has not been seriously contested - compulsion could save up to 1000 lives and 10,000 injuries a year."
seat belt legislation
dating back as early as 1885, seat belts were first patented by edward j. claghorn. in 1955, ford began offering the lap belt in their automobiles. saab then began to manufacture their entire range of automobiles with seat belts; most importantly the saab gt750, launched in 1958. from this model, the practice of seat belt installation then became a competitive advantage to the industry but still did not seem essential to the consumers. forward, this popular technique became standard in most u.s. automobiles. by 1965, front lap seat belts were produced in several models, by 1968 front shoulder and rear lap belts were introduced, and in 1974 three point front lap belts were adopted in most automobiles. the first united states federal law pertaining to the use of seat belts became effective january 1, 1968 with the help of the u.s. department of transportation which was created two years prior. the law has since been modified but currently requires all vehicles to be produced with three-point seat belts in all seating areas. the use and legality of seat belts varies from state to state, with the first state to pass the law requiring all passengers to wear a seat belt being new york on december 1, 1984. currently, there are no countries whose automobiles do not offer seat belts and it is a standardized practice worldwide.
williamson v. mazda motor of america, inc.