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:

    Battery
    The battery supplies power to start the engine and operate any additional electrical accessories. • To avoid break-down or failure to start the vehicle, maintain a battery with full crankin ...

    Rear Window Defogger
    The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the rear window. (Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button ...

    Navigation
    OnStar navigation requires the Directions and Connections service plan. Push to receive directions or have them sent to the vehicle navigation screen. Destinations can also be forwarded to the v ...