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:

    Driver Information Center (DIC)
    The Driver Information Center (DIC) display is located on the instrument panel cluster, below the speedometer. If your vehicle has DIC buttons, they are located on the steering wheel. The DIC can ...

    Portable Audio Devices
    Some vehicles have a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) auxiliary input and a USB port located in the center console. External devices such as iPods®, laptop computers, MP3 players, CD changers, and USB drives may ...

    Universal Home Remote SystemOperation (With Three Round LED)
    Your vehicle may have the Universal Home Remote System. If there are three round Light Emitting Diode (LED) above the Universal Home Remote System buttons, follow the instructions below. If th ...