Get Seat belts -> Why wear seat belts? Guide for Seat Ibiza SUV Fifth Generation (2018-2026)

Seat belts

Why wear seat belts?

Frontal collisions and the laws of physics

In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic

energy must be released.

Fig. 7 The vehicle with

unbelted occupants

strikes the wall.

The action of the laws of physics in the case of a frontal collision may be

explained in the following way: As the vehicle moves ⇒ fig. 6 the vehicle and

the passengers alike accumulate a stored energy called “kinetic energy”.

Fig. 6 Passengers of a

vehicle heading for a brick

wall. They are not wearing

seat belts.

The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the

weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the greater

the weight, the more energy there is to be “released” in an accident.

The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed

doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy increases

by a factor of four.

Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the

entire amount of kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point of impact

⇒ fig. 7.

Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a colli-

sion can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). At greater speed these forces

are even higher.

Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a

frontal collision they will continue to move forward at the speed their vehicle

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was travelling just before the impact. This example applies not only to frontal

accidents, but to all accidents and collisions.

The danger of not using the seat belt

Many people believe that the occupants can protect them-

selves with their hands in a minor collision, this is false.

Fig. 9 The unbelted rear

passenger is thrown

forward violently, hitting

the driver wearing a seat

belt.

Even at low speeds the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great

that it is not possible to brace oneself with one's hands. In a frontal collision,

unbelted passengers are thrown forward and will make violent contact with

the steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen or whatever else is in the way

⇒ fig. 8.

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When deployed,

airbags provide only additional protection. All occupants (including the

driver) must be wearing seat belts properly during the trip. This will reduce

the risk of severe injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether

an airbag is fitted for the seat.

Fig. 8 A driver not

wearing a seat belt is

thrown forward violently.

Note that airbags can be triggered only once. To achieve the best possible

protection, the seat belt must always be worn properly so that you will be

protected in accidents in which no airbag is deployed.

It is also important for the rear passengers to wear seat belts properly, as they

could otherwise be thrown forward violently in an accident. Rear passengers

who do not use seat belts endanger not only themselves but also the front

occupants ⇒ fig. 9.

Seat belts

why it is so important to fasten seat belts before every trip, even when "just

driving around the corner".

Seat belts protect

Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the

event of an accident.

Ensure that your passengers wear their seat belts as well. Accident statistics

have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially

reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious

accident. Further, properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided

by airbags in the event of an accident. For this reason, wearing a seat belt is

required by law in most countries.

Although your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be

fastened and worn. The front airbags, for example, are only triggered in some

frontal accidents. The front airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal

collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, rolls or accidents in which the

airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.

Therefore, you should always wear your seat belt and ensure that your

passengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!

Fig. 10 Driver protected

by the properly worn seat

belt during a sudden

braking manoeuvre.

Safety notes on using seat belts

Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting posi-

tions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident.

Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to

severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the danger of

being thrown from the car.

If seat belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of

injury in an accident.

–

Always wear the seat belt as described in this booklet.

Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability

of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other

passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to

absorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these

features reduce the forces acting on the occupants and consequently the risk

of injury.

Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened at all times and are not

damaged.

WARNING

•

If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-

Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts

reduce substantially the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is

ries increases. The optimal protection from seat belts can be achieved only

if you use them properly.

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Seat belts -> Why wear seat belts? for Your Seat Ibiza SUV Fifth Generation (2018-2026)

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