Regarding the seat belt/lap bar issue, I do have to say that when I am on ToT I feel like I am hanging on for dear life. I'm a pretty small person and the odds of little people all the way across are slim (HA!) especially if I want to sit next to my husband. John's a good-sized guy. Sometimes I can actually cross my legs under the bar with room to spare
I know that it is safe, but it's still pretty scary. I can't imagine how it must be for kids.