One of the most needed amenities inside a car would be the seatbelt. Without it, we would not be able to keep ourselves and our passengers safe. It draws the solid line between surviving a crash and going through traumatizing grief.
That being said, it is only fitting to put on your seatbelt every time you travel, as it definitely ensures the safety of everyone in the car. That being said, there are also times when our ‘in-car saviour’ may fail at doing their job.
The seatbelt may fail, and we may get more injuries than expected.
The question is, “Why? How could that happen?”
Below are just a few reasons why your seatbelt may fail to protect you.
1. False Latching
This is one of the most common reasons why a seatbelt fails to do its job. You see, seatbelts may simply appear to be latched, but in fact, they are not completely locked yet. As a result, they may come off easily, thus undermining their purpose.
You should always check if your seatbelt is properly latched to deal with this problem. To do this, you should check if the seatbelt is locked. Try to move it around, and you should feel a hard, stiff resistance.
If you don’t feel that resistance, you have a false latch issue.
2. Product Defect
Unfortunately, even the best manufacturers cannot escape the product defects. It might be that the seatbelt was manufactured with a defect in mind. Maybe the latch wasn’t fixed properly, or the straps were not tightened.
Either way, these product defects can definitely lead to the seatbelt failing to work.
3. Improper Use
Not all people are aware that there is proper use in every product they use. Of course, seatbelts are not exceptions. Seatbelts need to be fitted correctly to work. If there is an error in the process, they could fail to do their job.
This is why you should always be sure that you use your seatbelt right. For example, you should never use an unsecured seatbelt. It is just a waste of time, effort, and money.
4. Accidental Release
Seatbelts can also fail to do their job because of how the seatbelt is placed. If the seatbelt is not placed appropriately, then it will fail to work properly.
For example, the seatbelt is not placed in the correct position. In other words, it can accidentally release itself while the car is moving.
5. Pull Tab Defect
Another problem you may encounter is when the pull tab of your seatbelt is almost or totally broken.
In this case, you will have a difficult time pulling out the seatbelt. As a result, you may be forced to release it manually. This may lead to an accidental release, which is definitely a problem.
6. Age
Like any other product, seatbelts also have an expiration date. In short, it’s natural for seatbelts to wear out over time. As a result, it may fail to do its job.
Seatbelts can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays and moisture over time. With that said, you should always check your seatbelt to determine if it is still good.
Replace it if it is already damaged.
7. Environment
Finally, your seatbelt can also fail to do its job because of the car’s environment. For example, you should always keep the car clean.
This is because the buildup of dirt may deteriorate the seatbelt’s quality over time.
In addition, you should always check if the car you are riding in is in good condition. The car’s condition may also affect the seatbelt’s quality.
Conclusion
To sum it up, our seatbelts can fail to do their job because of the reasons mentioned above. If you want to ensure the safety of everyone in your car, then it is best to check if your seatbelt is functioning properly. For example, you can check if it is locked and if there is no false latch.
If you want to know more, you can look at the warning signs of seatbelt failure. The most important thing is to stay safe inside your car.
If you are looking for a company that specializes in seatbelt repairs, look no further than our expertise here at Safety Restore. We are the world’s leader in post-accident restorations specializing in seat belt repairs and airbag modules. We also provide webbing replacements and instrument cluster repairs. Call us today and let us tend to your faulty seatbelt in no time!