It’s a known fact that a seat belt will help reduce the risk of injuries of a driver or passenger should they be wearing one during a car accident. This knowledge can be pretty helpful and empower car owners to keep their seat belts in good condition. However, there’s a lot more to seat belts than just their function.
There’s a couple of intriguing facts about seat belts that each car owner should know. It can make for an exciting lesson or conversation starter with younger folks or just a general answer you didn’t even know you had about these safety devices. Keep reading to learn some interesting facts about seat belts.
Seat Belts Were Created Because of Work Accidents
The seat belt, or safety belt, was designed and created for work that was susceptible to certain aspects. Construction workers who operated from tall heights and air pilots who had to stay in the seat of their gliders really benefited from having the contraption installed and used so that they don’t have to worry about falling out while carrying out their responsibilities.
Later on, though, car manufacturers took notice of the seat belt after a medical study exposed the effectiveness of such safety devices in preventing head and internal injuries. They eventually become a regular inclusion in wheeled vehicles. Racecar drivers had been the first to test using seat belts.
Seat Belts Were Made for Both Adults and Children
It can be important to know the different parts of the seat belt, from the retractor box to the clasp. When it comes to wearing the belt, though, it’s critical to learn which parts should go over. For adults, it should be over the lap and belt. For children, it’s the lap and neck.
Of course, that’s for the standard seat belt. Nowadays, there are all kinds of seatbelts car owners can get installed to suit their needs. Take your pick from seat belts curated for pets, babies, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Seat Belts Focus on the Concept of Inertia
If you pay attention to science class, you may have taken note of Newton’s First Law or the Law of Inertia. Inertia is a concept wherein an object in motion will continue to be in motion unless another force acts to stop it. Seatbelts are the top examples of inertia and how it works.
A driver or passenger is usually still until there’s a sudden crash that makes them lurch forward. This vehicle occupant is likely to continue following the motion of the car and potentially falling out and hitting their head. The movement continues to crash until the seat belt stops it.
Seat Belt Issues Usually Occur After a Crash
Contrary to popular belief, common seat belt issues normally happen after a crash rather than before it. They can still occur due to poor maintenance and intentional tangles, but repairs and replacements are mostly needed after car accidents. Consult a vehicle expert to understand the current condition of your seat belt.
Conclusion
A seat belt might be something you unconsciously wear and take off when you’re on the vehicle. Learning these new nuggets of information can be quite the refresher of just how important and well-designed these safety devices are and the need to keep them in top shape.
Do you need a seat belt repair? Safety Restore is a pioneer in post-accident restorations, replacements, and repairs for seat belts and airbags. Contact us today!
