Staying Safe On the Road: 3 Essential Seat Belt Facts

Wearing seat belts has been a mandatory practice for passengers and drivers for so long that it's no longer a major event. As a standard practice for any mode of travel, people are well aware of the consequence of not wearing seat belts. However, this is primarily due to the potential consequences of suffering fines or receiving violations. Seat belts provide a greater importance beyond potentially being a violation of improper driving practices.

Let's Talk About Safety

It's hard to imagine the impact of seat belts as innovative technology because seat belts are just common parts of riding any vehicle. However, the development of seat belts has had a long journey to get to where it is now. Nevertheless, there are many details about this vehicular safety feature the general public doesn't know about.

In this article, we'll share three essential facts about seat belts.

1. Seat Belts' Staggering Statistics

In 1984, New York passed a law requiring car passengers to wear them, two decades after it was mandated for car manufacturers to make them. Even then, it was only in 1996 that the US passed this law across a majority of states. However, does this law actually save people's lives?

According to the CDC Injury Century, the seat belt policy has saved over 255,000 lives since 1975. Additionally, most fatal car accidents occur among passengers and drivers not wearing their seat belts. Through raw percentages alone, seat belts have a reported effectiveness of reducing the risk of death by 45 percent and preventing serious injury by 50 percent. With its simple and easy-to-wear function, these are numbers worth investing in.

2. Seat Belts and Car Injuries

Seat belts can drastically improve a driver or passenger's chance of survival after a car crash. However, some people are still worried about potential injuries from it. Although it can cause minor discomfort with its emergency retraction and locking mechanism, it's a lesser consequence when compared to potentially fatal results.

Seat belts keep an occupant in its seat, preventing them from being thrown off the vehicle or sliding down to a compromised position. With the reinforcement of headrests and airbag deployment, an occupant is cushioned from severe impact and heavy whiplash. While these bruises may sting for a few days, it beats being in the hospital for major treatment and surgery.

3. Seat Belts and Pregnant Passengers

Some pregnant women are worried about seat belts causing potential miscarriages, primarily because seat belts restrict movement and apply pressure on their belly. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still recommends it as a better alternative than not wearing one.

To minimize discomfort while still being protected from harm, pregnant women must wear the seat belt's lap sash under the abdomen and across the upper things. It's vital to avoid placing it over the belly while keeping the shoulder strap running diagonally across the chest.

Conclusion

Having a better understanding of seat belts is an excellent way to remember wearing them before turning on your car. However, some seat belts cannot function effectively after receiving wear and tear over the years. For this reason, it's necessary to get a replacement to ensure its ability to protect you while on the road.

To ensure your safety on the road, you need to ensure that your car's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components are working effectively. This is why our team at Repair My SRS attends to your car's safety needs like seat belt retractor repair and airbag module resetting. If you need reliable SRS repair services in Westfield, MA, contact us at (855) 552-7233 today.