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:

    Fuel Gauge
    When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge tells you about how much fuel you have left in your tank. An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. When the fue ...

    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 ...

    If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult-Size Occupant
    If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, use t ...