When worn correctly, seat belts spread crash forces across your body’s more vital, bony parts, preventing you from being ejected from a vehicle. This significantly reduces the likelihood of fatal injury or severe injury.
It is essential to check your seat belts for signs of wear periodically. Any nicks, cuts, or holes could indicate your seat belt malfunctioning.
Increased Safety
Using seat belts properly is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers from injuries in a car accident. But even with the right gear, a road crash is still risky. Yearly road accidents kill 1.35 million people and cause 49 million nonfatal injuries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Seat belts are designed to spread the force of a collision across a person’s stronger, bonier body parts, such as their shoulders and rib cage, rather than against their skin and abdomen. They can also prevent occupants from being ejected from vehicles, an event associated with a high risk of injury and death.
Fortunately, seat belts straps have been around for some time, and their use has increased significantly in recent decades. Seat belts have saved more than a million lives. Even so, road crashes remain the leading cause of death among vehicle occupants. In addition to seat belts, other car safety features, including airbags and electronic stability control systems, can reduce the risk of fatal and nonfatal injuries in a crash.
Reduced Risk of Injuries
Seat belts prevent severe injuries by preventing occupants from being ejected from their vehicles, which can be extremely dangerous. They also reduce the risk of death by 45% for front-seat passengers who are correctly buckled up and 40% for those in the back seat. Additionally, seat belts prevent occupants from suffering fatal head and chest injuries by helping them to stay in their hearts during a crash.
In fact, despite the widespread adoption of other car safety technologies like airbags, rearview cameras, and electronic stability control, seat belts continue to be one of the most effective safety measures available. According to NHTSA, an estimated 2,549 lives could have been saved in 2017 if all passenger vehicle occupants had worn seat belts. You follow the manufacturer’s specifications for proper positioning and force distribution when wearing a seat belt. Also, use belt extenders and adjusters as needed to ensure a snug fit that won’t chafe or cut into your skin. If you need help choosing the right belt for your vehicle, consult with auto experts and professionals.
Enhanced Comfort
A small piece of woven fabric saves many lives each year. The webbing material is carefully designed to have extreme tensile strength (about 3000-6000 lbs). Yet, it is so flexible that it can stretch over your chest and lap without any noticeable loss of effectiveness.
The webbing in a seat belt is typically woven on a shuttle or needle loom using polyester threads. Originally, nylon was the preferred material, but proved less flexible over time. In addition, tiny abrasions and other damage to the webbing can significantly reduce its tensile strength. To prevent this, the webbing has run-proof selvages reinforced with solid threads.
Moreover, seat belts can be adjusted for different sizes of people or to accommodate a pregnant woman. This feature makes them more comfortable to use, and people are more likely to wear them if they are comfortable. This is important because seat belts that are too loose or tight won’t provide adequate protection in a crash. Hence, it is best to get them fitted professionally or buy a seat belt extender or adjuster to make them more comfortable.
Increased Durability
A quality seat belt can provide a significant amount of protection in the event of a car accident. However, the straps can become worn and damaged over time. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to replace your seat belts when needed.
Since introducing three-point lap-and-shoulder belts in 1997, engineers have made other improvements that improve their performance and comfort. For example, front seat belts have built-in devices called crash tensioners that cause the straps to tighten quickly during a crash. Similarly, they’ve refined their tuning to work well in tandem with airbags and redesigned vehicle seats to optimize belt-hip interaction during a collision.
Other advancements include adjustable anchors and integrated belt systems, which help ensure a good fit for occupants of different sizes or who position their seats far back or forward. Additionally, rotary buckles, which allow multiple straps to be secured to it, such as the five-point lap, crotch, and both shoulder straps found in race cars, have been introduced. This provides added stability and reduces rubbing or discomfort.
Lower Cost
Nowadays, consumers are picky about the quality of the products they buy, especially if they’re responsible for keeping them safe while on the road. With that said, it’s only logical that you’d want to invest in seat belts made with the highest-quality materials designed to cater to your specific needs and preferences.
While some manufacture most seat belts to fit a particular vehicle, there are also aftermarket options available on the market that can be used in different cars. This is expected to drive the demand for this segment over the forecast period.
However, most third-party manufacturers use cheap components imported to produce their aftermarket seat belts, which can significantly lower the quality of the product and compromise its safety. That’s why it’s essential to consult automotive experts and professionals when choosing seat belts. A customized option can ensure the best possible protection and comfort while driving, saving you money in the long run.
