Wearing of seat belts for the front seat passengers in motor vehicles has been made compulsory by the Supreme Court and the Government too has done so for even rear seat passengers to wear safety belts since October 2002. Any person contravening this law will be punishable under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Car crashes are responsible for killing the maximum number of people till the age of 35 years. Many of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with safety belts.
What happens in a crash?
In a car crash, there are two collisions. The first is when the car hits something, or is hit, and comes to a sudden stop. The second crash happens a split second later when anyone not buckled in can fly forward, slamming into the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard or front seat. In most cars, safety belt is one unit made up of the lap and shoulder belt. In a crash or sudden stop, safety seats and belts hold everyone in their place. This helps keep them from smashing into the inside of the car or into each other. It also keeps them from being thrown through the windshield. It takes only a second or two for an adult to buckle up. It takes only a couple of minutes to get a baby into the safety seat. Take the time to be safe - even when you are only going a short distance.
Safety belts improve your chances of travelling safely in many ways
- They stop collision: Many injuries or deaths occur when a person inside the car collides with the steering wheel, the dashboard, windshield, the roof or other passengers. A safety belt stops this human collision by holding you in place.
- They keep you inside the car: You are 25 times more likely to be killed or injured if you are thrown from the car. If you are thrown "free" you may be thrown into the path of your own car if it rolls over, oncoming traffic or a tree, telephone pole or other object.
- They spread out the force of a collision: A safety belt stops you from moving after the car has stopped, so the force of the collision is lessened. Also they spread the force of the collision over the strongest parts of your body-your hips and shoulders.
- They keep you conscious: Since safety belts prevent the "human collision," there is a better chance that you will remain conscious. If you remain conscious, you can release your belt in an instant and take action to help yourself and others.
- They help keep you in control and prevent minor injuries: In an emergency, safety belts keep you behind the wheel and ready to react if necessary. Being in control can help you keep injuries minor or avoid them altogether.
What is your reason for not wearing one?
"I am only going to the shopping centre." Actually, this is the best time to wear a safety belt, since 80% of traffic fatalities occur within a small distance from home.
"I won't be in an accident: I am a good driver." Your good driving record will certainly help you avoid accidents. But even if you are a good driver, a bad driver may still hit you.
"I will just brace myself." Even if you had the split-second timing to do this, the force of the impact would shatter the arm or leg you used to brace yourself.
"I am afraid the belt will trap me in the car." Statistically, the best place to be during an accident is in your car. If you're thrown out of the car, you are 25 times more likely to die. And if you need to get out of the car in a hurry-as in the extremely tiny percent of accidents involving fire, you can get out a lot faster if you haven't been knocked unconscious inside your car.
"They are uncomfortable." Actually, modern safety belts can be made so comfortable that you may wonder if they really work. You can put a little bit of slack in most belts simply by pulling on the shoulder strap. Others come with comfort clips, which hold the belt in a slightly slackened position. If the belt does not fit around you, you can get a belt extender at most car dealerships.
"I do not need a belt ? I have got an airbag." An air bag increases the effectiveness of a safety belt by 40 percent. But air bags were never meant to be used in place of safety belts, since they do not protect against side impacts at all. With an "effective" safety belt, your body will stop in a crash before you hit or go through the windshield. Seat belts are especially important in small cars, because your chances of being killed or badly hurt in a collision with a big car is eight times greater. Wearing your belt will greatly improve your chances of survival.