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:

    Filling a Portable Fuel Container
    WARNING! Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be badly burned and the vehicle ...

    Using the Universal Remote System
    Press and hold the appropriate Universal Remote system button for at least half of a second. The indicator light will come on while the signal is being transmitted. ...

    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 ...