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 and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
    The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and atta ...

    Driver Efficiency Gauge
    For eAssist vehicles, this gauge assists in driving efficiently and will vary based on driver input. To maximize efficiency, keep the gauge pointed in the solid green zone in the center of ...

    Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
    The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside rearview mirror with OnStar® and/or a compass display. Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dim ...