Seat belts
Even at urban speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the
forces acting on the occupants in a collision can
reach the equivalent of 1 ton (1,000 kg) or more.
At greater speed these forces are even higher.
Again: if the speed doubles, the forces increase
by a factor of four.
Passengers who do not wear seat belts are not
"attached" to the vehicle. In a frontal collision
they will continue to move forward at the speed
their car was travelling just before the impact.
What happens to passengers not wearing
seat belts?
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk fatal inju
ries in the event of an accident.
Fig. 191
A driver not wearing a seat belt can be thrown
forwards
In a frontal collision, unbelted passengers will be
thrown forwards and make violent contact with
the steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen, etc
¢
Fig. 191.
Passengers not wearing their belts
risk being thrown out of the car. This could result
in potentially fatal injuries.
The common belief that occupants can brace
their weight with their hands in a minor collision
is false. Even at Low speeds the forces acting on
the body in a collision are so great that it is not
possible to hold yourself in the seat.
232
How to wear seat belts
properly
Putting on the seat belts
Always fasten your seat belts before driving off.
Fig. 192
Driver's seat: Seat belt
Fig. 193
Driver's seat: Belt buckle and latch plate
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.. Adjust the seat correctly before putting on the
seat belt¢
page 54, Front seats.
.. To fasten the belt, take hold of the belt and
pull it evenly across your chest and lap
¢Fig.
193,
¢
,A
.
.. Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the ap
propriate seat and push it down until it is se
curely locked with an audible click.
.. Pull the belt to check that it is now securely fas-
tened.
The three-point inertia reel belts are tensioned
automatically. The retractor system gives com
plete freedom of movement, as long as the pull
on the belt is slow. Hard braking Locks the belt.
The belt will also lock when you accelerate, drive
up or down a steep hill or corner sharply.
..,.
