Ever since they were invented, seat belts have saved millions of lives from car accidents and collisions. Seat belts prevent your body from being thrown into the windshield in the unfortunate event of a car crash. It safely braces your body to your seat and keeps you from severe bodily injuries from hitting the dashboard, the ceiling, or even the window.
In many countries, wearing car seat belts was put into law to enforce safety for all motorists, and failure to comply usually involves fines. In America, this is mainly governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Here are things you need to know about car seat belts to understand their purpose and importance better.
Impact of Seat Belts
How effective are seat belts? According to the data gathered by NHTSA in 2017, out of the approximately 37,000 people killed in motor vehicle crashes, 47% of them were not wearing seat belts. Besides that, around 15,000 lives were saved because of the proper use of seat belts.
For all these reasons and more, all drivers and passengers should wear their seat belts correctly. With the mandatory seat belt law and the knowledge of the advantages of the seat belt, NHTSA has recorded that 90.7% of Americans wear seat belts today.
How Seat Belts Work
Car seat belts utilize Newton’s Third Law which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Upon the car’s sudden brake, your body will exert a force against the seat belt, causing it to react with an equal force so you will be stopped from moving forward.
Of course, the real magic happens inside the device—the sudden jerking of the belt activates a locking mechanism. In the event of a sudden stop, a lever attached to the spool extends outward, which triggers a device that catches the toothed gear attached to the spool, stopping its spinning motion. Simple physics combined with innovative minds have led to the car seat belts that can save lives.
Using a Seat Belt Properly
Using a seat belt is pretty straightforward. Gently pull the belt and secure the latch plate to the buckle, and you are good to go. Always wear your seatbelt, however short the trip will be, or even if you are highly confident in your companion’s driving skills.
Wear the lap belt below your stomach and low across your hips, even if you are pregnant. Wear the shoulder belt such that it sits over your collarbone and not near your neck. In the middle of the trip, many people change the belt’s orientation, sometimes putting the strap under the armpit such that both arms are over the belt; avoid this practice at all cost. As long as you follow these tips, you can ensure a safe trip. Aside from properly wearing your seat belt, also make sure that you inspect it regularly. Any kind of damage merits professional seat belt replacement or repair.
Conclusion
Seat belts, if worn correctly, can save your life and minimize your injuries from a car crash. You should regularly check if your seat belts are functioning effectively, especially before any long road trip. If it’s not working as it should, then it is high time to arrange for car seat belt repair so you can feel safe and secure and enjoy your trip.
Safety Restore is the world’s leader in post-accident restorations. We specialize in airbag module reset and seat belt repairs in Westfield, Massachusetts, so you can save money without sacrificing quality. We offer a lifetime warranty on all of our repairs, and we ensure that your seat belts are always repaired to factory specifications. Order your repairs from us, and you’ll be left with satisfaction and complete peace of mind.
