Can You Get a Ticket

[Ron_CA]

For a passenger to be up and moving around inside your MH while driving? Class A, B or C any different. I know people probably do it all the time but is it legal?

 

[harris155]

I would think it would be treated the same way a passenger bus is treated.
Urban transport buses have passengers standing, Greyhound has a head in the rear and it is used while moving.
Tour guides are usually standing while pointing out places.

 

[Wendy]

I suspect the state seat belt laws apply. It's probably not legal in most states.

 

[Drivmsafe]

Illegal in some states. You'd be best to check. The main question here, is it safe? I've heard many horror stories of injuries happening when someone is up and moving around while the MH is moving. Although, a lot of folks do it.

 

[Kevin Means]

Ron,

In California, CVC 34710 lists several types of vehicles that are NOT considered to be "Passenger vehicles" and a "Housecar" is one of them. A "Housecar" is another word for motorhome in California. Since the seatbelt laws in California apply to "Passenger vehicles," motorhomes are, by definition, exempt. Motorhomes have always operated in kind of a grey area here. If you're interested in the seatbelt laws of other states, you'll have to check their laws.

You were only asking about the legal stuff so I'm quite sure you're dialed in to all the safety stuff regarding seatbelts.

Kev

 

[Frank Hurst]

While it might be legal it sure is not safe. With our 1st MH I had added a second captain chair behind the passengers captain chair so I could travel safely with our grandson. Long story short: 18 wheeler on left, I 64, 65 mph, wife standing up, car pulled suddenly in from merging lane, locked up brakes on MH, wife thrown against 2nd captain chair, broke base of chair and badly bruised wife. Bruised from shoulder to mid thigh. I would have hated to think that she might have gone through the windshield if she had not have hit the chair. We try not to stand up while traveling. 

 

[John From Detroit]

I very strongly suspect this is a "your millage may vary" question.. Laws vary from state to state on these issues and sometimes even county or city withing the state.

So the best advice is ... If you gotta go.. go where you gotta go to go.. But return promptly to your seat and buckle in.

 

[Chip D]

I very strongly suspect this is a "your millage may vary" question.. Laws vary from state to state on these issues and sometimes even county or city withing the state.

So the best advice is ... If you gotta go.. go where you gotta go to go.. But return promptly to your seat and buckle in.

So I would assume this holds true for the driver too??? 

 

[bucks2]

If one was required to be seated and belted in a MH then school busses, City busses,  Trailways, Greyhound, airport and casino shuttles and a whole bunch of other tour folks would probably be cited before you. Just like on the airplane where they suggest you keep your seatbelt on "just in case", it's probably wise to minimize walking around. I'd be interested if someone could find a state that requires all passengers to always be belted, not just the front two.

Ken

 

[rebelsun]

So I would assume this holds true for the driver too??? 

Yes.
Just remember to set the auto-pilot.......aka.......cruise control before leaving the cockpit!

 

[kenb1023]

My wife will get up to use the head but never in heavy trafic.  She will grab snacks or drinks on the way back up front.  I also will slow down a bit when she is up and about.  When she is back in the seat the belt goes back on.  Not sure if it is a tickeable offense.

 

[carson]

I would suggest everybody wade through the info for listings on this link>>>
    https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=seat+belt+laws+in+us+states&oq=seatbelt+laws+in+us&gs_l=firefox-hp.1.1.0i10j0i22i10i30j0i22i30.4573567.4580153.0.4592750.19.19.0.0.0.0.194.2359.0j19.19.0....0...1ac.1.34.firefox-hp..0.19.2359.F9PP5E5tclI

That should answer a lot of the inquires from above posts.

 

[bucks2]

Here's my states (WA) rules per the WA State Patrol. http://www.wsp.wa.gov/information/faqs.htm#vehclass

Do persons in a camper or motor home have to wear safety belts?

Persons in the driving compartment must use proper restraints. Persons in the living area should use restraints if there are restraints available.

Ken

 

[lavarock1210]

My wife will get up to use the head but never in heavy trafic.  She will grab snacks or drinks on the way back up front.  I also will slow down a bit when she is up and about.  When she is back in the seat the belt goes back on.  Not sure if it is a tickeable offense.

I do not understand the slow down a bit.

In my mind a vehicle going slower than the flow of traffic is more dangerous than one going the same speed as most of the traffic.

I do not agree with California and other states that require trucks and some other vehicles to go 5-20 mph less than the rest of the traffic.

 

[Ron_CA]

OK, well that cleared that up Lol.

Thanks Kevin for that CA code. Looks like it is OK but not real safe. BTW, I am right around the corner from you in Santee 

 

[TonyDtorch]

I do not understand the slow down a bit.

In my mind a vehicle going slower than the flow of traffic is more dangerous than one going the same speed as most of the traffic.

I do not agree with California and other states that require trucks and some other vehicles to go 5-20 mph less than the rest of the traffic.

the biggest reason for the lower truck speed requirements is the increased stopping distance of a 30,000+ pound truck doing 75 mph as apposed to a 2500 pound Toyota Camry doing 75.

and since most motorhomes are basically just a loaded to the GVW Ford or Freightliner truck chassis running down the highway it kinda makes sense to slow it down to truck speed.

besides, if you are in a hurry, .....for about the same money you could have bought a nice Corvette, almost 200 MPH and stops on a dime.

 

[TonyDtorch]

oddly....in most states there are seat belt exemptions for vehicles that drive the most dangerously  (emergency vehicles )
and vehicles carrying our most precious cargo ( school children ).

 

[scottydl]

As others have said... every state has its own laws on passenger restraints.

That said, seatbelt installation requirements in vehicles are federal standards, that must be met by all manufacturers.  In most states, motorhomes are too heavy to be considered vehicles, but are used for private purposes so they don't fall under the commercial truck rules either.  Somewhat of a gray area.

Motorhomes are so customized from one manufacturer to the next, that it would be almost impossible to require belt locations and designs in the hundreds of possible floorplans out there.  That's why you only see belts required in the front seats (truck or van chassis), and related enforcement if any.

The safety aspect should probably outweigh the legal aspect.  Enjoy motorhome travel and its conveniences, but keep everyone buckled up as often as possible.  The risk of injury or death is high for unrestrained occupants involved in a crash, just like any other moving vehicle (and somewhat more because of all the loose debris in an RV).

EDIT... you might also want to check out this older but often-read discussion: Moving around in a moving vehicle - NO WAY!

 

[Kevin Means]

OK, well that cleared that up Lol.

Thanks Kevin for that CA code. Looks like it is OK but not real safe. BTW, I am right around the corner from you in Santee 

Glad to help Ron. Maybe we'll run into each other sometime (metaphorically speaking) 

 

[Flyboy]

All state laws refer to "seats" when applying the law on belts.  So now when my DW drives, instead of taking my nap on the couch where there are seat belts, I will go back to the bed.