Why Safety Belts Work

When riding in a vehicle, you travel

When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you keep going until something stops you.

It could be the windshield, the instrument panel, or the safety belts! When you wear a safety belt, you and the vehicle slow down together.

There is more time to stop because you stop over a longer distance and, when worn properly, your strongest bones take the forces from the safety belts. That is why wearing safety belts makes such good sense.

    See also:

    Driving on Wet Roads
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    Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
    WARNING! If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the child restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or ...

    Reclining Seatbacks
    WARNING Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job. The shoulder belt will not be against your body. ...