don't know about it being ridiculous, although I would fit belts myself even though not required. Basically to require the fitment of belts where they weren't originally required would mean forcing older cars to comply with more current regulations. Just imagine that taken to the extreme - you would probably force all cars older than a few years off the roads.
Exactly .... we're talking fundamental safety here, not extremes ... both the driver, who will get collected by the flying passenger and the flying passenger himself... pollution and other regs are another ballgame, but all this 'wipe off five' stuff we are saturated with, and yet they will still let people drive around at 110k unrestrained in the back seat of a car...
anyway, like you If I had a car with no seatbelts I would fit them, or not take passengers. You wouldn't forgive yourself if things went wrong....
I don't think 'the regualtions didn't make me', would work with my conscience.
Cheers, Neil.