Get Seat belts -> Why wear seat belts? Guide for Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

Seat belts20

The warning lamp*  is switched off if the driver seat belt is fastened while

the ignition is switched on.

Why wear seat belts?

Physical principles of frontal collisions

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

energy must be absorbed.

It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on

collision: When a vehicle starts moving ⇒ fig. 6 there is a certain amount of

energy known as “kinetic energy”, both in the vehicle and in the occupants.

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

weight of the vehicle and its 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 is multi-

plied by 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 (1000 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 move forward at the same speed their vehicle was

Fig. 6 Vehicle about to hit

a wall: the occupants are

not wearing seat belts

Fig. 7 The vehicle hits

the wall: the occupants

are not wearing seat belts

leon_ingles Seite 20 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Seat belts 21

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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

dents, but to all accidents and collisions.

The danger of not using the seat belt

The general belief that the passengers can protect them-

selves with their hands in a minor collision is false.

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 triggered,

airbags provide only additional protection. All passengers (including the

driver) must wear 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 or not.

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.

Fig. 8 A driver not

wearing a seat belt is

thrown forward violently.

Fig. 9 The unbelted rear

passenger is thrown

forward violently, hitting

the driver wearing a seat

belt.

leon_ingles Seite 21 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Seat belts22

Seat belts protection

Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the

event of an accident.

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.

Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability

of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front part of your vehicle and other

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

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

features reduce the releasing kinetic energy and consequently, the risk of

injury.

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

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

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

driving around the corner".

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

have shown properly that wearing seat belts is an effective mean of substan-

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

serious accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protec-

tion 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 value 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!

Safety instructions on using seat belts

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.

– 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-

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

if you use them properly.

Fig. 10 Driver wearing

the seat belt properly: is

secured by the belt in

sharp braking

leon_ingles Seite 22 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Seat belts -> Why wear seat belts? for Your Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

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