There’s no doubt that seat belts are one of the most important safety features in any vehicle, savings an estimate of 14,955 lives yearly according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seeing the pivotal role it plays in the driver and passenger’s safety on the road, any flaws in its system deserve immediate professional attention.
Unfortunately, experiencing seat belt failures happen at an alarming rate, leading to a whopping three million injuries and thousands of fatalities when it underperforms during a vehicle collision. Some faults are easier to spot than others, but the list below focuses on common culprits behind your problematic seat belt to ensure it can work in perfect condition no matter where the road takes you.
Retractor Failure
The seat belt retractor is a critical component that is designed to lock up when it experiences a sudden force. This secures the seat belt in place, which prevents the driver or passenger from flying forward when the vehicle runs into a forceful impact.
Latch Failure
The latch is characterized as the crucial contact point that links the buckle and the belt, so its responsibility is just as paramount as the retractor. Without a fully functioning latch, it will fail to lock the seat belt, which means it will fail to provide the proper protection you need during a car accident.
Spooling
When the seat belt webbing extends to an excessive amount, it won’t provide reliable security to keep the driver or passengers in place. It’s also related to a fault retractor since it slackens the belt instead of tightening it when it goes to a sudden stop, which makes it a deadly problem you need to address as soon as you spot it.
What Causes Seat Belt Failure?
The list above focuses on some of the most common seat belt failures that lead to the gravest repercussions but finding the root causes can be tricky. A professional mechanic may find the problem relating to assembly defects, manufacturing errors, and poor design, so understanding what contributes to its failures can help build your case with the insurance company in case you do run into a road accident.
The Bottom Line: The Importance of Spotting, Diagnosing, and Repairing Seat Belt Issues from the Get-Go
A defective seat belt can tell you many things, but there’s one thing you should always focus on: a poor seat belt’s reliability and performance can put your life at risk. In case you experience any complications with the seat belt, always seek expert help to ensure it’s in good condition for the road.
Why Choose Us for your Airbag Reset Near St. Westfield, MA?
An airbag can be all the difference between life or death in a vehicle collision, so it’s critical to reset this safety feature after going through an accident. Once the airbag is deployed, it deserves immediate professional attention, and we’re a leading post-accident restoration company in the USA that provides quality seat belt repairs and airbag modules.
If you’re looking for experts to reset your airbag modules, get in touch with us today at (855) 552-7233 and see what we can do to improve your driving experience.
