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

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.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle.

The rider does not stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by

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:

    Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
    Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer/retailer. ...

    Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
    1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle's placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers ...

    Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
    For vehicles with this feature, it may alert you to vehicles located in your side blind zone. When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone, an SBZA display will light up in the corre ...