6 Things Everyone Should Know About A Car’s Seat Belt

A seatbelt is a safety device in vehicles designed to secure the driver or a passenger against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop.Seat belts must be worn by all adults in the car, including the driver, unless a specific reason why they should be exempted, and can prove that their exemption is valid. For example, you may not have to wear a seat belt due to a medical reason and children within the ages of 0-3 should be provided proper  child restraint. Despite the fact that motor vehicles are equipped with more safety features than ever before, including tire pressure monitoring systems, back-up cameras, and lane departure prevention systems, none of these innovations are as critical to the safety of passengers as a seat belt. Unfortunately, many drivers and passengers choose to ignore this effective injury-prevention device, putting themselves at risk for injuries or even death.

Here are a few reasons you should always have them on;

1. Protection

A seat belt helps a person get a strong grip to the car’s seat. A seat belt will keep you safely inside your car if you are involved in a crash, without a seatbelt you can be ejected from your vehicle, which is often deadly. There is a longstanding myth that people are better off being thrown out of a vehicle, clear from the crash. The truth is that people thrown from a vehicle are actually four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside.

2. AirBags Work With Seat Belts, Not Alone

Some believe that airbags are an effective substitute for seat belts. While Airbags are an excellent safety feature, an airbag on its own will not protect you. If you are not wearing your seatbelt, it is unlikely your body will remain in a position that allows your airbag to help prevent injuries. Airbags alone will not protect you in an accident. They are designed to work in conjunction with the safety provided by wearing a seat belt. If you are not wearing a seat belt the impact of the airbag can result in serious injury. To get the most out of this safety feature, you must wear a seat belt.

3. It protects your brain and spinal cord

Seat belts are designed to protect these two critical and vulnerable areas. If you were to hit your head in a crash, it is likely you will suffer a traumatic brain injury. These can range in severity, from a minor concussion to a fatal diffuse axonal injury. No matter how minor a head injury might seem, it is crucial to always seek medical attention since they often do not produce immediate symptoms. In fact, some brain injuries take days, weeks, or even months before a victim begins to experience symptoms. Likewise, spinal cord injuries can also have serious and deadly consequences.

4.  Wear SeatBelts Properly

Every car maker illustrates the guidelines for using the seat belt correctly. Follow them as they are. The belt should be placed across the middle of your chest, and should not be against your neck. The lap belt should be placed across your hips and below your stomach. It is not safe to place the belt under your arm or behind your back. These parts of the body are most likely to take the impact when the crash happens. Make sure that the lap belt is tucked below your stomach, across the hip.

5.The Right Fit

When you are purchasing a vehicle you may not be thinking that the fit of the seat belt is an important thing to focus on but it is. Try on the seat belt and ask your car dealer about how that specific belt can be adjusted. You can contact the vehicle manufacturer about obtaining a seat belt extender if needed. Also, if you own a classic or older vehicle with lap belts only you can also contact the manufacturer about replacing it with a modern, safer belt.

6. Wearing a seat belt is required by law

 If your safety is not a good enough reason to wear a seat belt, remember that wearing one is required by law and, if you are caught violating the law, you might face some expensive fines and prosecution.