5 Ways Three-Point Seat Belts Protect You in a Car Accident
Posted by Artem Martynyuk on
Seat belts are a life-saver in most, if not all, auto-related accidents. It has saved countless lives and even reduces the severity of injuries on those caught in a car accident. According to a blog published by Youth For Road Safety, seat belts alone have saved over 200,000 lives in the US between 1975 and 2008—which is a staggering number indeed!
That said, the most common seat belt you will find today is the 3-point seat belt. It is also one of the most effective types of seat belts to keep you safe during a car crash! To understand its importance, here is why this type of seat belt can keep you safe:
1. It holds you in the vehicle
It has been a long-running myth that people are safer when ejected out of a vehicle during a crash. This has been proven false after research has found that the fatality rates of those being ejected out of the car are significantly higher than those who remained in a vehicle!
With a seat belt on, you will stay in the car, remaining in the safest place possible in the event of a car accident.
2. It slows down the deceleration
A major cause of injuries in a car accident is the sudden slow-down of speed. This causes the body's organs to move around in the body, and without a seat belt, impacting something so suddenly can lead to major damages to the body.
With a seat belt on, deceleration is slowed down a bit longer. This "cushions" the impact, reducing the likelihood of injuries and even fatalities.
3. It spreads out the collision force
The 3-point seat belt allows the forces of the accident to be spread out throughout the body, lowering the amount of energy the body can experience at any single point to reduce the risk of injuries. Also, the seat belt's shoulder straps help keep the body and head from impacting the steering wheel and the windshield, thus reducing the risk of more serious injuries.
4. It restrains the body at its strongest points
The seat belt has been designed in such a way to hold your body back using the body's strongest points. This includes the lap, the shoulder, and the waist. This allows fragile parts of the body like the abdomen to be free from pressure, allowing the stronger parts to carry most of the impact force in a collision.
5. It protects the brain and back from whiplash
Whiplash occurs when your head whips forward because of a sudden impact, leading to brain and spine injuries that can sometimes prove fatal.
Having a 3-point seat belt on reduces the impact of whiplash. While it does not totally eliminate the risk of whiplash, it will certainly reduce its severity and lower the risk of whiplash-related injuries.
Conclusion
In summary, the 3-point seat belt protects you in various ways. It slows down the deceleration your body experiences and keeps your body in place to avoid getting ejected out of the car. It also reduces the risk of impact-related and whiplash-related injuries that can easily prove fatal, especially in high-speed accidents.
All in all, every time you get in the car, always wear your seat belt. Even if you are “just” in the passenger seat, having a seat belt on is still essential to ensure that should an accident occur, you are as safe as you can be.
Repair My SRS is an accident-restoration company with a specialization in airbag rests and seat belt repairs. We cater to clients nationwide and provide a guaranteed 24-hour turnaround time. If you are looking for seat belt repair services in Westfield, get in touch with us today!