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:

    Lower Anchors
    Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B). ...

    Leaving After Parking on a Hill
    1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you: 1.1. Start the engine. 1.2. Shift into a gear. 1.3. Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is ...

    Outlet Adjustment
    Use the air outlets located in the center and on the sides of your instrument panel to direct the airflow. Operation Tips • Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow, or any other ob ...