For safety reasons, modern car manufacturers also install plenty of security features including anti-lock brake system, cruise control, rear view cameras, satellite navigation, traction control, and airbags. Without all of those features, you can still drive a car indeed, but it is a traffic law violation if you drive without wearing seat-belts. It is probably the minimum safety requirement to prevent you from suffering fatal injuries in case your car crashes into something.
There are some different types of seat-belts based on the models and safety features. Current models in production cars include lap, sash, and 3-point harness. Racing cars usually have a 5-point and 6-point harness. Each of them is described as follows.
1. Lap Belts
A lap belt is the most outdated model in production cars. The design is very simple with only one strap tightened around your waist. This is uncommon in modern vehicles, but you probably can still see one in an SUV with 5 or 7 passengers capacity. In such vehicles, lap belt is sometimes used for the passenger who sits in the middle of a row. This is not the safest type since the belt only covers the waist area of a passenger.
2. Sash Belts
This belt only has one strap going across the chest diagonally on a passenger. This adjustable strap is buckled on the vehicle’s center closest to the hip. In the past, a sash belt is sold separately to upgrade a lap belt. It is not considered safe nowadays since vehicle’s occupant can easily slip out of the belt.
3. Three-point Harness
It is a combination of a lap belt and sash belt. A single strap pulled across waist and chest to the vehicle’s center closest to the hip. It is fastened using a buckle. There are three points of the belt connected to the vehicle’s frame, and it is therefore called three-point harness. This is the standard seat-belt installed in most modern cars since 1960’s.
4. Five-point Harness
Five-point harness seat-belt uses a strap for each shoulder, a lap/waist belt, and another between the legs. Each is connected to the center, usually below the chest area. Besides commonly used in racing cars, the five-point harness is also used for children. This type of seat-belt is safe but restrictive; it also takes time to use it correctly.
5. Six-Point Harness
It is similar to five-point harness except for the additional strap between the legs.
Safety Tips
As mentioned earlier, car manufacturers install numerous safety features in modern vehicles, but seat-belt will always be the outdated safety equipment. The main idea is that it prevents your body from crashing toward the dashboard or steering wheel in an accident. When used well, this equipment should not distract your concentration while driving. Some safety tips are listed below.
1. Placement
Always use the seat properly as instructed by car manufacturers or manual instructions. When using three-point harness seat-belt, please make sure that the chest strap goes comfortably across the chest. Ideally, it goes from the midpoint of the shoulder across the midpoint of the chest to the waist area. The lap belt is only slightly above the legs. In a crash, the seat-belt will help to spread energy or momentum to bounce back the forward movement force of your body. This prevents you from hitting the dashboard or steering wheel. It should not be too tight that it restricts movements or breathing.
2. Airbags
Some people may think that airbags are enough to prevent you from hitting the dashboard. It probably is, but the seat-belt is still an important part since it keeps you exactly in the impact area of the airbag. When the airbag is deployed, it will be useless if you are not in front of it. As a matter of fact, the airbag can be dangerous, and it can cause serious injury when you are in the wrong position. Furthermore, seat-belt is always on your body during driving, meaning you can check for possible flaws or incorrect use. You know when it is correctly equipped. However, an airbag is not visible; a malfunction can happen anytime preventing it from functioning properly.
