Seat belts - fasten orNo? This question has divided all motorists into two irreconcilable camps. It would seem, what is there to argue about, since the traffic rules provide a clear and precise answer? But despite the increase in fines, and social advertising calling for common sense, some drivers continue to stubbornly ignore this important part of the car. This is explained by a variety of reasons - some are simply uncomfortable, while others rely entirely on airbags. Others tell stories of people who were not wearing a seat belt, supposedly saving them - they simply "flew out" through the windshield and only because of that survived. Everyone has their own reasons. Where does this mistrust come from?
About belts
Seat belts come in two-, three- andMulti-point - by the number of attachment points to the frame. Multi-point are used in the cockpits of racing cars and sports aircraft. But it is worth talking about two- and three-point in more detail. Two-point shoulder seat belt. In this model, the tape runs from the shoulder to the hip. Such belts were widely used in the 1960s. But, based on the studies, this model was recognized as unsuccessful - during an accident, the passenger often "slipped" out from under the shoulder belt. Two-point lap seat belt. The first lap belt was invented by the Englishman George Cayley back in the nineteenth century. Until the 1980s, lap belts were widely used in cars. However, some studies gave reason to believe that the tension of the belt of this design at the time of an accident can lead to displacement of the vertebrae and, as a result, paralysis. There was even a special term - "seat belt syndrome". Now it is clear why many people still distrust the belt! But this is already in the past. Today, almost all developed countries have cars equipped with other three-point belts. Three-point seat belt. Its inventor, Nils Bohlin, took into account all the shortcomings of the lap and shoulder belt. He determined which points bear the greatest load during an accident, made the necessary calculations, calculated the best location of the fasteners and created a new design. The first three-point belts were installed on Volvo cars back in 1959.
Some statistics
Today, in most casesIn civilized countries, the use of seat belts is mandatory for both the driver and passengers of the car. Where does such unanimity come from? Of course, this rule did not just pop up out of thin air. Such confidence is based on the results of numerous studies and crash tests. For example, 8 years after seat belts began to be used in Sweden, the Volvo concern provided a detailed report on accidents in the country. It carefully analyzed 30,000 accidents. Based on this data, it was concluded that the safety of the driver and passengers wearing seat belts increases by about 50-60%. These results were later confirmed by studies by other companies.
Than we risk?
50% - dry statistics.What do they mean? In fact, they mean that half of those who died in accidents could have survived if they had decided to wear a seat belt. And this applies to both the driver and passengers. After all, an unfastened seat belt of a rear passenger can lead to the fact that at the moment of a collision his body will turn into a kind of projectile that rushes at great speed and destroys everything in its path. The consequences of this are scary to even imagine. Automobile concerns spend millions of dollars on the development of new components and designs that ensure safety. The design of the belt is also being improved. They care about our lives. Why do we not always care about our own? Of course, someone learns from other people's mistakes, someone - from their own, some - do not learn at all. Unfortunately, such a mistake as an unfastened seat belt can be very expensive - often a person simply has no chance to correct it. Therefore, when going on the road, be sure to fasten your seat belts. And have a safe journey!
