Automobile Emergency and Safety Issues...

Seat Belts

The modern seat belt was created by Nils Ivar Bohlin, a Swedish aircraft engineer. Bohlin's invention - a three-point combination lap and diagonal belt positioned across the pelvis and rib cage - has saved thousands of lives since its introduction in 1959.

Today, most drivers and passengers use their seat belts every time they enter their automobiles. Unfortunately, millions of other vehicle occupants put their lives at risk by either not wearing them or not wearing them properly.

Seat belts combine Bohlin's strong three-point harness with a relatively simple pendulum and ratchet mechanism that locks the belt in sudden-stop situations. This design helps improve the comfort of belt wearers, as it is not locked in position under normal operation.

As with any safety system, however, seat belt performance is dependent on proper use and fit. If it is not positioned correctly on the occupant's body, it can fail to provide adequate safety in the event of a collision or rapid deceleration.

Seat Belt Tips

Seat belts...

• ...should always be worn. Insist that your passengers do the same. One non-restrained passenger can seriously injure others in the vehicle.
• ...help prevent internal injuries by spreading the force of a collision across two of the human body's strongest areas - the pelvis and upper chest. To ensure the proper distribution of force, the lap belt should be positioned across the upper thighs. Without this restraint, your body would be thrown under the diagonal belt and into the dashboard or steering wheel. The diagonal belt should be positioned across the chest. Never slip it behind your body as the lap belt alone cannot prevent you from being thrown forward and out of the vehicle.
• ...should fit snugly against your body. If it is too loose, you could be injured by being thrown against the belt itself.

Additionally...

• If your seat belts don't seem to operate correctly, or you cannot adequately adjust them, return the car to a dealership or qualified repair shop for assistance.
• If your vehicle is fitted only with lap belts (pre-1974 models), contact a dealership for an upgrade to a three-point harness. Aftermarket kits are available for many vehicle makes and models.

Some Statistics

• Three of five people killed in vehicle accidents would have survived their injuries had they been wearing their seat belts. (Source: NHTSA)
• Seat belts save an estimated 9,500 lives in the United States each year. (Source: NHTSA)
• Every 12 seconds, someone is killed in a traffic accident. (Source: NHTSA)