It's official, you're scum and must die.
Seatbelts. Used to be optional, now they're compulsory. That was the situation with cars in the 80s.

The same happened with HGVs in 2001. They were optional before, but most manufacturers put them in as standard. If they were fitted, they became part of the MOT after 2001: if broken, they needed fixing.

With me so far?

A local haulier bought new vehicles in late 2000. He told the dealer not to put in seatbelts. Between the order going in and the delivery date, the manufacturer had changed from optional seatbelts to standard.

When the vehicles arrived the transport manager went round them with Stanley knife and cut all the belts out: "they'll drive more carefully if they think they'll be killed".

Of course when the first MOT rolled round in a year (HGVs are tested a year after registration rather than 3) all the vehicles failed on the spot.
(all my scars face forward possesses 2.5% of a hyperalloy combat chassis, Tue 28 Feb 2012, 12:06, 2 replies)

That's just
mindless vandalism.
(username failed moderation, Tue 28 Feb 2012, 12:09, closed)

Hahahahaha!
HGV drivers being careful! What a ridiculous notion.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Tue 28 Feb 2012, 20:02, closed)