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Honda Says "No"
to Seat Belts for Larger Passengers
September 19, 2000
American Honda
Motor Co.
National Consumer Affairs
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Dear Honda,
Over the last 8 years since I bought my first Honda, I have been one of your
biggest supporters; first writing a newsletter about Honda and now maintaining
a very pro Honda website. Recently I even became a shareholder.
Since 1992 I have written several letters to you as well. Some were requests
for information and some were silly, like when Honda aired the one and only
TV commercial I have ever seen that actually put down their competition – Honda
is way too good to have to do that.
This letter is more serious… I have just read that Honda does not offer seat
belt extenders to their larger customers. I worked at a Ford / Toyota dealership
for many years (one of the many reasons I only buy Honda products) and remember
seeing numerous customers come in for these simple devices.
While I personally do not need one of these devices I probably would if I were
to become pregnant and I would be much happier knowing that they existed for
my Civic. I have worn my seat belt for many years, even as a teen and have been
in at least one accident where I believe that wearing a seat belt saved my life.
I think everyone should have this protection.
Since visiting http://www.ifisher.com it has come to my attention that Honda
is about the only major automobile manufacturer who does not offer such a product.
This is putting millions of people at risk every year who are not able to use
the seat belts in their vehicles. Not only is it dangerous but it’s also the
law that front passengers must wear seatbelts at all times.
I know the standard argument that they are not as safe as seat belts alone but
it seems to me that even some seat belt coverage is better than none. If it’s
fear of legal retribution (and who isn’t afraid of that these days?), I would
suggest that warnings be placed on all extender devices stating that they are
not as safe as a seat belt alone. Heck, why not make the customer sign a paper
saying they give up their right to sue you in case of failure?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supports and recommends the
use of seat belt extenders and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety even
endorses their use for child safety seats. They can’t be all that unsafe for
these two agencies to have placed their names on them.
Thank you very much for your time and attention and I look forward to your reply.
Best wishes to you and everyone at Honda.
Sincerely,
Ellen Emerson
ellen@hondabeat.com
http://www.HondaBeat.com