Abstract
THIS PAPER REVIEWS HEAT AND RADIATION EFFECTS OF SUNLIGHT ON SEAT BELT WEBBING AND OTHER FACTORS THAT DEGRADE THEIR STRENGTH. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT IN AUSTRALIA AT LEAST, WHERE STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL IS EXERCISED, BELTS SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING UNTIL ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD OR AFTER SHOWING OBVIOUS DAMAGE OTHER THAN COLOUR FADING WHICH CAN BE IGNORED. AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AFTER SEVERE CRASHES IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN WORN. (Author/publisher).