What is the function of seat belts?
2 Answers
The main functions of seat belts are as follows: 1. Restrict displacement and provide cushioning, absorbing impact energy and counteracting inertia. 2. In emergency situations, seat belts can quickly tighten and restrain occupants in their seats, ensuring the safety of vehicle occupants and thereby reducing injuries. Below is the process of how seat belts protect drivers: (1) When a strong frontal collision occurs, due to inertia, the driver and passengers' bodies move forward rapidly. At this point, the seat belt exerts force to "pull back" the occupants' bodies, absorbing part of the impact energy, while the airbag inflates and fully deploys "in the blink of an eye." (2) Next, the upper body of the occupants sinks into the airbag, and gas begins to escape evenly from the airbag's exhaust vents, absorbing most of the impact energy. (3) Finally, the occupants' bodies move backward and return to their seats.
The seat belt is primarily designed to prevent you or your passengers from being thrown out of the vehicle or hitting hard objects inside the car in the event of an accident while driving. It disperses the impact force to the stronger parts of the body, such as the chest and hips, reducing the likelihood of injury. Think about it—if you suddenly brake or collide with the car in front, without wearing a seat belt, you could directly hit the steering wheel or windshield, causing severe head and neck injuries. Having driven for many years, I always remind my family to buckle up, especially when children are in the car—it’s a lifesaving necessity. Statistics show that wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injuries by more than 50%. Developing this habit takes just a second, but it can change a lifetime.
