Federal Government Regulations that saved tens of thousands of lives began..6/30/77

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Shoulder belts have been required since 1968.

When I say "1968," I don't know if that means cars built on or after January 1, 1968, or 1968-model cars. I'm sure I can look that up.

Shoulder belts were an option before then. I had a 1967 Ford Country Squire. When I peeled back the headliner, I saw the mounting points in the roof structure for shoulder belts. I got some shoulder belts from a '68 and installed them in my car.

Lap belts have been required since the mid-60s, and, like shoulder belts, they were optional earlier. I had a 1963 Falcon in which lap belts were installed as an option.

Like shoulder belts, side lights were required in 1968. Can you see the lights? Look closely.



1967 Mustang



1968 Mustang

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

I think what they meant by "seat belts" is automatic seat belts. That is, you don't get to choose whether to wear them or not.

Most of the things in that post happened in the 1960s, well before 1977.