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Seat belts20
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great
that it is not possible to brace oneself with just one's arms and hands. In a
frontal collision, unbelted passengers are thrown forward and will make
violent contact with the steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen or whatever
else is in the way page 19, fig. 7.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. When triggered, airbags
provide only additional protection. Airbags do not deploy in all types of acci-
dent. All occupants (including the driver) must be wearing seat belts properly
during the trip, even if the vehicle is equipped with airbag systems. This will
reduce the risk of critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident – regard-
less of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
The airbag is only deployed once. To achieve the best possible protection, the
seat belt must always be worn properly so that you will be protected in acci-
dents in which no airbag is deployed. Vehicle occupants not wearing belts
could be thrown from the vehicle and sustain even more severe or fatal inju-
ries.
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear seat belts properly, as they
could otherwise be thrown forward violently in an accident. Rear passengers
who do not use seat belts endanger not only themselves but also the driver
and other occupants page 19, fig. 8.
Seat belt protection
Wearing a correctly fastened seat belt can significantly change the situation.
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting posi-
tions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident.
Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to
severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the danger of
being thrown from the car fig. 9.
Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the energy released and decrease the risk of injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts
substantially reduce the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is
why it is so important to fasten seat belts before every trip, even when just
driving “around the corner”. Ensure that your passengers wear their seat
belts as well.
Fig. 9 Drivers with prop-
erly worn seat belts will
not be thrown forward in
the event of sudden
braking.
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