Seat belt protection
Fig. 1 Driver restrained by a properly positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre.
Correctly fastened seat belts can make a major difference. When fastened properly, seat belts
hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting positions and considerably 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, wearing seat belts properly reduces the risk of being
thrown from the vehicle → Fig. 1 .
Passengers wearing seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the belts to reduce the
kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other passive safety features (such as the airbag
system) are also designed to reduce kinetic energy. The amount of energy generated will thus
decrease, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
The 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 seat belts must be fastened before
every trip – even if you are only planning to drive “a very short distance”. Ensure that all
passengers also wear their seat belts properly.
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.
Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided by airbags in the event of
an accident. This is why wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.
Although the vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fastened and worn. For
example, the front airbags will be triggered only in certain types of frontal collision. 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, always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers have fastened their seat
belts properly before you drive off.
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