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:

    Control of a Vehicle
    The following three systems help to control the vehicle while driving—brakes, steering, and accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control syste ...

    Door Ajar Messages
    DRIVER DOOR OPEN This message will display when the driver door is open. Close the door completely. HOOD OPEN This message will display when the hood is open. Close the hood completely. LEFT REAR ...

    Canceling a Remote Start
    To cancel a remote start: • Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press and hold until the parking lamps turn off. • Turn on the hazard warning flashers. • Turn the ignition switch ...