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:

    StabiliTrak® System
    The StabliTrak system assists with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. The system turns on automatically every time the vehicle is started. • To turn off bot ...

    Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
    If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF and a door has been opened. This protects against drainin ...

    RELEASE PARK BRAKE
    This message is displayed if the electric parking brake is on while the vehicle is in motion. Release it before you attempt to drive. See Parking Brake for more information. ...