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6 Types of Car Seat Belts and How They Are Different

Posted by Artem Martynyuk on

Every car has a built-in seat belt. A safety feature is our most reliable friend when driving because it can prevent the possible impact of a car crash. But did you know that you can maximize your safety on the road by familiarizing yourself with different types of seat belts and how they work?

From the time seat belts were invented, they have gone through many changes to lessen the possible casualties of every car accident. As such, we will share with you six types of car seat belts and how they differ: 

  • Lap Belts

  • A lap belt is a two-point safety strap that secures the driver through the hips. Although it protects a driver or passenger from being thrown out of the car during accidents, it does not provide maximum protection as your upper body can flop towards the vehicle. As a result, there are more risks that your head will be injured by relying on this belt. Lap belts are the oldest type of belts, which is why they are less common now. However, lap belts are still seen on the middle rear seats of a car. 

  • Shoulder Belts

  • A shoulder belt is also called a sash. This type restrains the driver in two-point protection from one shoulder going through the opposite hip. Shoulder belts are best used with a lap belt because, without them, a driver or passenger can slide under them during accidents and not give a driver enough harness. 

  • Three-Point Belts

  • As the name suggests, three-point belts secure the driver in three fixed points. It starts from the shoulder going through the opposite hip and extends through the lap. This is the typical seat belt among modern cars today because they are considered more effective than lap belts because they spread the impact on the entire body. 

  • Automatic Seat Belts

  • Automatic seat belts imitate the protection of a three-point seat belt, but for this type, the shoulder and lap belts are separate. When you ride the car, you have to automatically wear the lap belt while the shoulder belt will automatically slide upon starting the car engine. Because of this, there shouldn’t be too much worry that the automatic seat belt might malfunction. However, if you wonder how to unlock seat belts after a crash, automatic seat belts have a manual buckle, or you can always depend on expert technicians to fix the problem.

  • Belt-in-Seat

  • A belt-in-seat (BIS) is also a form of three-point protection, but instead of coming from the car’s frame, the BIS is attached to the car seat’s backrest. Compared to other belts, it is more comfortable as it does not scratch the chest too much, which causes discomfort. In addition, recent developments improved the sensors of the BIS so it can adjust to any tightness according to the position of the chair. 

  • Five-Point Harness Belts

  • A five-point harness provides the most protection among the other options in this list. It is commonly used for children and car sports drivers, as it restrains both shoulders, meets through the chest, and extends to both sides of the thighs and between the legs. Regardless of the amount of protection it provides, a five-point harness must be adjusted and worn correctly to reduce the risk of injuries or even death. 

    Conclusion

    You should keep in mind that seat belts are there in case of accidents. However, taking it easy on the road is still the best way to prevent injuries. And while seat belts are specifically made the way they are, you should still make sure that you are wearing the seat belts correctly to ensure your safety. 

    If you’ve been involved in a collision recently and you’re looking for help to fix a locked seat belt after an accident, you can depend on our experts at Repair My SRS in Westfield, MA. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services!


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