Can Seat Belts Be Opened When a Car Falls into Water?
2 Answers
Seat belts are mechanical and can be unfastened even if submerged in water, as they are not affected by water. Below is some information about seat belts: Adjusting the Shoulder Position of the Seat Belt: Adjusting the shoulder position of the seat belt is the first step. The seat belt position adjustment device is located near the B-pillar and can be moved up and down to adapt the three-point seat belt to drivers of different heights. Keep your body upright before pulling the seat belt. Fastening the Seat Belt: Pull the seat belt to the center of your shoulder and continue downward. The seat belt should pass over your chest, and then insert the buckle into the latch. Finally, the car seat belt is securely fastened.
I remember many years ago, an experienced driver shared that if a car falls into water, the seatbelt should be able to be manually released. The seatbelt buckle is designed as a small button, and water pressure wasn't a consideration in its design—as long as you can press it, it should work. However, the key is to unbuckle it quickly before the water submerges the car roof. Otherwise, the water pressure against the windows will make it harder to push the door open, and panicking will only waste precious escape time. Back when I was learning to drive, my instructor always emphasized keeping a safety hammer in the car. In case of flooding, breaking the window makes escape much easier. For daily driving, make sure the seatbelt doesn’t get stuck, and regularly clean the door seams and around the buttons during car washes to keep them functioning smoothly. The bottom line is: don’t panic—the seatbelt isn’t the main obstacle; the priority is to unbuckle and get out quickly.
