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:

    Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat)
    This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint. In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system whic ...

    Interior
    Adjust this mirror for a clear view of the area behind the vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up, down, or side to side. To reduce headlamp glare from behind, push the tab for ...

    Conference Calling
    Conference calling and three-way calling must be supported on the Bluetooth phone and enabled by the wireless service carrier to work. To start a conference while in a current call: 1. Turn ...