Comments on: Meeting with MPI: the details

By: JIS Seatbelts, provably better than DOT « RightHandDrive.ca/blog

JIS Seatbelts, provably better than DOT « RightHandDrive.ca/blog — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:15:52 +0000

[...] Awesome posted as a comment on 'Meeting with MPI – the details': According to FMVSS 209, a seat belt must withstand no less than 22689 N of force on the overall [...]

By: Rob Reimer

Rob Reimer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:02:01 +0000

Not to be a post whore or anything, but I just found a translated copy of the spec, which actually proves that the JIS standard puts seat belts through more rigorous testing than their American Counterparts. According to FMVSS 209, a seat belt must withstand no less than 22689 N of force on the overall assembly, where the JIS standard insists on no less than 22700 N. A somewhat minor difference, I concede, but the fact remains that the standard is at the very least comparable. I’ll need to delve further into the specifics of the testing to ensure the soundness of the argument – i.e.: Temperature testing, duration of load force over time, etc….but at least this gives me some hope of putting all this malarky to bed. Here’s the link where I found the spec… http://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/kijyun/saimokubetten/saibet_032_00.pdf

By: Rob Reimer

Rob Reimer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:23:50 +0000

Hi Rob…I had a little time, and was able to dig up the exact sheet I was looking at without too much trouble. Here’s the link: http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=vs48%20australia&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CE0QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nt.gov.au%2Ftransport%2Fmvr%2Fvehiclestandards%2Fforms%2Fdocuments%2Fvs48.pdf&ei=Qv0lT-eFDYjqggfEvtD5CA&usg=AFQjCNEIWyPC5081BayeeC0OuXlblHVROg&cad=rja
It’s the Inspection report for personally imported vehicles from Australia. Where it references seat belt markings, it specifically references JIS spec D 4604. This is where I have run into a little trouble. If I had a copy of the spec, I could cross-reference that data with the standards that the DOT uses, and prove once and for all whether or not MPI is actually making vehicles less safe by adopting the DOT standard. Don’t get me wrong…it’s not about making MPI look bad or anything, I’m just trying to ensure that our vehicles aren’t being compromised by conforming to an outdated standard.

By: Rob Reimer

Rob Reimer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:09:45 +0000

I’ll have it in the history on my computer…I’ll dig it up as I get some time tonight. The main problem I had is that regarding jis specs – every place i found the specs, the site owners want around $60 just for a copy of the spec…I’m not sure if you know any engineers who would possibly have a copy of the actual spec to reference, but I’m going to check with the engineers at my work. I’ll keep you posted!

By: rob

rob — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:11:26 +0000

Fascinating. I wouldn’t have thought to look to Australia for standards testing… that’s brilliant.
Do you have links/sources for this information?

By: Rob Reimer

Rob Reimer — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:35:17 +0000

I’ve been looking into the actual “meat and potatoes” of jis vs. dot seatbelts, and when i came across an inspection sheet from australia, I found something interesting… it urns out that the jis method of testing seat belts is more stringent than the dot method, and as a matter of fact, dot seat belts are generally not allowed for use on Australian roads. They will make provisions under special circumstances, but for the most part, they are rejected. just FYI.

By: Another response from an MLA « RightHandDrive.ca/blog

Another response from an MLA « RightHandDrive.ca/blog — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:18:23 +0000

[...] I had a meeting with MPI this September. It was good, I learned a few things, and got across the frustration that us RHDers have in [...]

By: M180

M180 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:55:47 +0000

Congrats on the progress thus far. Although I am not a resident of Manitoba, it is great to read about someone actually making an effort to correct the complications experienced by owners of RHD vehicles, rather than simply bitching and moaning to friends, family, etc. I own a 180sx in Ontario and have had to deal with issues from ministry, as well as from shops who are fearful of anything RHD. Fortunately I have also come in contact with a few people who were willing to help me out, which as you know, makes all the difference.

Again, congrats and good luck in the future.