Why Safety Belts Work

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels.

Put someone on it.

Put someone on it.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...

or the instrument panel...

or the instrument panel...

or the safety belts!

or the safety belts!

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.

You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense.

    See also:

    Outside Power Mirrors
    Controls for the outside power mirrors are located on the driver’s door armrest. To adjust the mirror: 1. Press the left or right side of the selector switch located beneath the control ...

    License Plate Lamp
    The license plate lamps for this vehicle are on the trunk lid. To replace one of these bulbs: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk for more information. 2. Push the end on either of the lamp assembli ...

    Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat)
    This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint. In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system whic ...