5 seat belt myths that put people at risk

Many motorists underestimate the importance of the seat belt and neglect this protection measure. At the same time, few people think that all rules are developed in order to avoid fatal errors. Engineers and designers have provided for the presence of a belt in a modern car, which means it is really needed. So, the main misconceptions that can cost lives.

If you have an airbag, you can not buckle up

The airbag was developed much later than seat belts and is an accessory. Its action is designed only for the fastened passenger.

It takes up to 0,05 seconds to open the pillow, which means that the speed of firing is huge. In the event of an accident, an unfastened driver rushes forward, and a pillow rushes towards him at a speed of 200-300 km / h. A collision at this speed with any object will inevitably lead to injury or death.

A second option is also possible, no less deplorable, at high speed the driver will meet the dashboard even before the airbag has time to work. In such a situation, the belt will slow down the forward movement, and the safety system will have time to provide the required protection. For this reason, even when fastened, you should position yourself so that there is at least 25 cm between the steering wheel and the chest.

Thus, the airbag is only effective when paired with a belt, otherwise it will not only not help, but also aggravate the situation.

Belt hinders movement

Modern belts allow the driver to reach any device in front of the panel: from the radio to the glove compartment. But reaching out to the child in the back seat will no longer work, the belt will interfere. If this is how it constrains movement, then it is better to let it limit the capabilities of the driver and passengers than its absence will cause injuries.

The belt will not hinder movement if you move smoothly so that the jerk-responsive lock does not work. A fastened seat belt is more of a psychological discomfort than a real inconvenience.

May cause injury in an accident

The belt can actually cause injury in an accident. It can lead to damage to the cervical spine when, as a result of an accident, the belt has already worked, and the body is moving forward by inertia.

In other cases, the drivers themselves are to blame, for the most part. There are adherents of the so-called "sports fit", that is, lovers of riding reclining. In this position, in an accident, the driver will slip even lower and earn fractures of the legs or spine, and the belt will work like a noose.

Another reason for injury from the belt is its incorrect height adjustment. Most often this occurs when they try to fasten a child with an adult belt, which is designed for other dimensions. In the event of an accident and sudden braking, a clavicle fracture is possible.

In addition, large jewelry, items in breast pockets and other things can cause damage.

However, these injuries are not comparable to injuries that an unfastened driver or passenger could have received in the same situation. And remember that the less clothing between the body and the belt, the safer.

A strapped-in adult can hold a child in his arms

In order to understand whether an adult can hold a child in his arms, let's turn to physics and remember that force is mass multiplied by acceleration. This means that in an accident at a speed of 50 km / h, the weight of the child will increase by 40 times, that is, instead of 10 kg, you will have to hold all 400 kg. And it is unlikely to succeed.

Thus, even a fastened adult will not be able to hold the child in his arms, and it is not difficult to imagine what kind of injuries a small passenger can receive.

No seat belt needed in the back seat

The rear seats are much safer than the front - this is an indisputable fact. Therefore, many believe that there you can not fasten your seat belt. In fact, an unfastened passenger is a danger not only to himself, but also to others. In the previous paragraph, it was shown how the force increases during sudden braking. If a person with such force hits himself or pushes another, then damage cannot be avoided. And if the car also rolls over, then such a self-confident passenger will not only kill himself, but will also fly around the cabin, injuring others.

So, you must always buckle up, even while in the back seat.

Whatever the skill of the driver, unforeseen situations happen on the road. In order not to have to bite your elbows later, it is better to take care of safety in advance. After all, modern seat belts do not interfere with driving, but really save lives.