Correct use of equipment is essential for it to work properly. This can be crucial in helping passengers escape unharmed from potential accidents.
When it comes to saving lives in traffic, seat belts are essential. However, there are still drivers and passengers who insist on using them incorrectly, increasing the chances of suffering serious or even fatal injuries in an accident.
1 – Seat belt over the neck
When buckling the seat belt, many drivers do not pay attention and let the strap pass over the neck. This happens when the driver does not adjust the height of the equipment (the adjustment is located on the B column, between the front and rear doors) or when the seat back is too reclined.
According to Oliver Schulze, a member of the SAE Brazil Vehicle Safety Technical Committee, the correct way is for the cross strap of the seat belt to pass over the shoulder and across the chest. To do this, the driver must adjust the height and keep the backrest as close to 90ยบ as possible.
2 – Use clips or clamps
Some people feel uncomfortable with the seat belt stuck to their body and end up using a clip or clamp near the retractor to loosen the belt.
This practice is extremely dangerous and nullifies the maximum efficiency of the device, because in the event of a frontal collision, the body will undergo a strong displacement before stopping in the seat belt. This can cause injuries in the chest area.
It is as if there were a second collision between the occupant’s body and the belt.
3 – Passing the chest strap over the back
When they don’t use clips, drivers and passengers who are uncomfortable with the seat belt often use another dangerous trick: passing the chest strap over the back, only holding it in place by the lap strap.
In this scenario, the three-point belt ends up losing much of its effectiveness, allowing for more serious injuries. This is especially bad for children, who can be thrown over the top of the belt, escaping protection.
4 – Lap strap on the belly
Just as important as the strap that goes across the chest, the lap strap must be positioned correctly. Prioritizing comfort over safety, many people place it over their belly, when the correct place is on the hips.
Properly positioned, the lap strap prevents the occupant from slipping under the belt in a head-on collision.
5 – Twisted strap
It may seem like a luxury, but it is not. Using the belt with the strap twisted is not ideal and hinders its optimal functioning. Therefore, both when buckling and when releasing the safety device, pay attention to whether the strap has twisted in the chest region, abdomen or even near the buckle.
If you are unable to adjust the strap again, we recommend that you seek specialized service and resolve the problem as soon as possible.
6 – Objects in the pockets
Before getting into the car and buckling the belt, inspect the pockets of your pants, shirt and blazer, and remove all small objects, especially sharp ones, such as pencils and pens.
In a severe crash, the belt straps, both the chest and lap belts, can press against these items and cause serious injuries.
Have you noticed how the dashboard, console and doors, as well as all controls, are made with rounded buttons, without prominent edges or corners? That’s right. Everything was designed to reduce the risk of injury.
7 – Be careful with used, pre-owned and auction cars
This last tip is for those who buy used, pre-owned and even auction cars. Vehicles that have been in a serious accident or have been victims of flooding need to have their seat belts replaced, as wear on the components can compromise their resistance in an accident.
Therefore, before buying the car you want, check the model’s history and, if it fits into one of these situations, ask the owner about the maintenance of the belt and whether it should be replaced.
If they don’t know, check the label with the belt’s technical data. It is usually located on the bottom, near the floor. It shows the product’s batch number, as well as the date of manufacture.
Serious infraction and fine
According to the law, failure to use or incorrect use of a seat belt results in a serious infraction, the addition of five points to the National Driver’s License (CNH) and a fine of R$195.23.
