If someone asked you what car safety part you would never drive without, what would your answer be? For many, it's the car seat belt. Of all the high-tech safety features that modern vehicles have, this polyester belt or harness is arguably the most important of them all. Let me tell you the different seat belt types and how seat belts protect a car’s driver and passengers during an accident.
Seatbelts Plus Airbags
Here’s a life-saving reminder: Seat belts work with airbags. If these two car parts function correctly during a car accident, they significantly reduce the risk of injury or death. Without the seatbelt, your body may hit the airbag too hard and fast, resulting in injury or even death. Without airbags, the inertia would throw your body against the seatbelt with all your weight and momentum. The belt will still perform its function of keeping you secured in your seat. However, it's still going to hurt and potentially cause injury.
So, both these car parts – seatbelts plus airbags - matter. But let us take a closer look at seatbelts specifically.
History of Car Seat Belts
In 1946, the retractable car seat belts we were all familiar with was first invented in the United States. At the time, these belts were not a compulsory car safety feature. No laws required people to wear them, and regulations implementing them as compulsory took effect only decades later.
Seatbelts come in many different forms, depending on the vehicle type. For example, in most sedans, you'll see at least two types of belts: three-point belts and a lap belt on the back seat.
Different Types of Seat Belts
In this article, we will cover the six most common seat belt types.
Three-point belts
The three-point seatbelt is probably the most common type we see these days. For this, we thank the Swedish carmaker Volvo-the industry leader in safety. In 1959, an engineer at Volvo named Nils Bohlin invented the three-point seatbelt. The company decided that their invention was too crucial for the greater good of all drivers and passengers that they opened the patent. This meant that any other carmaker could use their design free!
This type stretches across your upper body from your shoulder down to your waist on the opposite side. Then, it crosses across your waist to meet at the same point. The car seat belt is secured in three places, thus the name. It runs over your shoulder, to your hip, and at the anchor where you click it in place.
This design secures your entire body to your seat. If you do figure in an accident, the belt spreads the impact across your upper body, reducing the impact and degree of injury.
Belt-in-Seat (BIS)
The Belt-in-Seat (BIS) is an alternate version of the three-point belt. You see, three-point belts are typically secured to the actual frame of the car. With a BIS, the three points are secured to the seat, not the vehicle frame.
Compared to the conventional three-point belt, the BIS is said to offer more comfort to the people wearing them.
Some passengers complain about chafing to their neck and shoulder caused by conventional three-point belts, which is a lame excuse for not wearing seatbelts. For people with this complaint, the extra comfort provided by the BIS makes it a good alternative.
Five-point harness
Picture a three-point safety belt. Now, add two more points to secure it further. With this kind of seatbelt, passengers are secured over both shoulders, both hips, and in between the legs. Typically, you can see this car seat belt design on child car seats and competitive racing vehicles.
The reason they're so secure is that the force is distributed evenly over each part of the body.
Lap belts
Lap belts are the most basic of all seat belt types. However, they provide the least protection. As the name suggests, the belt crosses over your lap and locks in place. This is the kind of safety belt you'll see in an aeroplane or some buses.
In the event of a car crash, this belt might stop you from being ejected out of the car. It keeps your lower body in place, but your upper body is still free to hit the inside parts of the vehicle.
Lap belts aren't as widely used these days since there are better options like the three-point belt. However, most cars still have at least one for the middle seat in the back.
Shoulder belts
Shoulder belts are another kind of two-point belt, and they're much rarer these days. You don't see these anymore because they've been replaced by the three-point belt mentioned earlier, which is considered superior to most types.
Shoulder belts are secured at the shoulder and the hip and restrain your upper body. Without adding a lap belt, however, this design does more harm than good. That's because, without it, the passenger may end up 'submarining', or sliding underneath the belt during a car accident.
Automatic seatbelts
Automatic car seat belts were designed for added convenience and were only popular decades ago. These days, few (if any) manufactures still include them in their cars.
Automatic seatbelts were almost the same as the three-point seatbelt. However, they worked in two separate parts. The lap belt was to be fastened manually. The only automatic part was the shoulder belt which would move into place when the car was turned on. Sure, there was still a buckle that allowed you to take it off immediately if you needed to. I think many would agree with me when I say that the automatic seatbelt was a little bit gimmicky and not worth it.
Do Car Seat Belts Do More Harm Than Good?
As you have read in this article, each type offers a different level of protection. During a car accident, some seat belt types do more harm than good.
However, it’s wrong to make a sweeping statement that generalises seatbelts as doing more harm than good. Worn properly, the best type of seatbelt can reduce the incidence of injuries and deaths occurring from a crash by 50%.
Seat Belts Save Lives
Seat belts plus airbags save lives; however, don’t forget that they can’t prevent accidents. It is wrong to have a false sense of security simply because your vehicle is equipped with the best types of seat belts and other safety features. It is still incumbent upon you as the driver to drive defensively and responsively.
Also, don’t forget to inspect each seatbelt to check that they’re all working and providing the protection expected from them. If any of the belts have defects, get them replaced and always buy replacement car seat belts from certified sellers. You may request Carpart.com.au to find you any part you need for your vehicle.
Hope you enjoyed this article. Keep safe always!
By Ray Hasbollah