Why Are Car Seat Belts Important?

by Vincent Pagtakhan

April 22, 2024

Technological innovations such as lane departure detection systems, backup cameras, and tire pressure monitoring systems have revolutionized accident prevention and significantly improved road safety in the ever-evolving field of automotive safety.

The seat belt is still an essential and fundamental safety precaution in cars today, even with these advancements. Seat belts, which are acknowledged as the main tools for reducing injury in cars, have a remarkable track record of saving lives in collisions. In almost every nation, they are not only advised but also required by law; in fact, breaking the law greatly increases the number of road deaths.

Every student is taught the value of seat belts from the beginning of driver education, and passengers are frequently reminded to buckle up when driving.

Wearing a seat belt is still the best way to reduce the chance of harm during an accident, even with the latest developments in automobile safety technology. This investigation into seat belt safety will look at how they work, how important they are legally over the world, and why it is always emphasized that drivers and passengers wear them.

Development and History of Seat Belts

George Cayley is credited for creating seat belts in the 19th century in order to secure himself in his glider. He is considered a seminal figure in the history of aviation since he established the framework for all safety belts that followed. But major improvements in the mid-20th century were primarily driven by the growing desire for vehicles.

The introduction of cars resulted in a terrible reality: an increase in car crashes, which was made worse by insufficient safety precautions. At first, cars had simple two-point lap belts, and not many people knew how important they were. The game-changing invention of the three-point seat belt for Volvo, created by Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin, came about in 1959.

This clever idea changed the dynamics of vehicle safety and became the industry standard. Bohlin’s invention not only transformed vehicle safety but also grew to represent safety and was ingrained in the concept of responsible driving. The development of seat belts, from Cayley’s original concept to Bohlin’s ubiquitous invention, demonstrates not just a technological advance but also a cultural turn toward emphasizing passenger safety and turning every trip into a safe adventure on the road.

How Do Seat Belts Work?

The main purpose of seat belts is to protect occupants in the event of a car accident. In order to prevent the occupant from being tossed around by abrupt stops or changes in speed, it restrains their mobility. In the case of an accident, passengers may be thrown inside the car or maybe ejected due to the car’s inertia, or inherent tendency to move, if a seat belt is not used. In order to counteract this inertia, seat belts are essential for keeping passengers safely in their seats and reducing the chance of injury.

The locking mechanism of a seat belt is a crucial component that ensures its efficiency. This clever mechanism, which is triggered by the sudden movements of the car or the jerking action of the seat belt, keeps the seat belt firmly in place during a crash, making it a lifesaver in an emergency.

Steps on how to Use Seat Belt

The steps listed below describe how car seat belts operate.

A weighted pendulum swings forward when the car abruptly decelerates, forcing a metal bar to jam into a toothed gear on the spool.
Consequently, the belt tightens, securing the passenger and efficiently dispersing the stopping force.
When the belt suddenly jerks, centrifugal force is produced, which pushes a lever linked to the spool outward. It results in the toothed gear stopping its spinning action and the belt tightening when the extended lever triggers a mechanism that catches it.

In summary, the seat belt locking mechanism makes sure the belt stays tight in the event of a crash by being activated by the motions of the car or the belt. A metal bar is jammed into the spool’s gear in car-activated systems by a weighted pendulum; in belt-activated systems, centrifugal force pushes a lever to stop the gear from spinning.

This system makes sure the seat belt’s stopping force is distributed evenly throughout the body, enhancing its ability to protect the occupant in the event of an accident.

Legal Requirements and Seatbelt Laws in the Philippines

The driver and passengers (front and rear) in both private and public vehicles must use and wear their seat belts while they are inside a car with the engine running on any street, road, or highway, according to Republic Act No. 8750, also known as the Seat Belts Use of Act.

This means that neither drivers nor passengers have a good reason to drive without wearing their seatbelts.

Reducing the likelihood of traffic crash deaths and injuries is the goal of the Philippines’ seat belt law. Additionally, as per Section 5, this rule prohibits children under the age of six from riding in the front seat of any vehicle that has an engine running, even if they are buckled up in their seatbelts.

Act No. 8750 Seat Belt Law

Its Effectiveness and Required Application

The full title of Republic Act No. 8750 is “An Act Requiring the Mandatory Compliance by Motorists of Private and Public Vehicles to Use Seat Belt Devices, and Requiring Vehicle Manufacturers to Install Seat Belt Devices in all Their Manufactured Vehicles.”

Approved on August 5, 1999, the R.A. 8750 Seat Belt Law went into force nationally on May 1, 2000. Drivers and front-seat passengers in both private and public cars, as well as any other mother vehicles as defined by the internal rules and regulations (IRR) pertaining thereto, are covered, as stated in Section 6 of the aforementioned Act.

The use of seat belts is required for the protection of both drivers and passengers, as stated in Section 4. Every time a person is inside a car on any street, road, or highway, they are obliged to use and wear their safety seat belt devices, whether they are in a private or public vehicle.

For Private Vehicles
Every passenger, including those in the front and back seats, must always wear their appropriate seat belts.
For public vehicles
When a passenger gets into the front seat of the car, the driver must tell them to buckle up. Refusing to wear a seat belt will prevent a passenger from getting into the car and continuing their journey.

The IRR states that in the case of special public service vehicles such as school buses or school services, among others, all occupants within the vehicle driver, front-seat passengers, and first row passengers must use and wear their appropriate seatbelts at all times while the engine is running.

Penalties and Fines
In the Philippines, there are consequences for failing to remind passengers to buckle up or for failing to wear a seat belt.

Offense Fine
1st offense P100 up to a maximum of P1,000
2nd offense P200 up to a maximum of P2,000
3rd and succeeding offense P500 up to a maximum of P5,000 One-week suspension of the driver’s license

Please read: TIPS TO INCREASE CAR RADIATOR LIFE

Conclusion

Regarding car safety, the seat belt is still an unwavering emblem of protection that goes beyond simple legal compliance to become a vital global safeguard for vehicle safety. From George Cayley’s glider in the 19th century to the revolutionary three-point seat belt launched in 1959, these seemingly insignificant devices have a rich history of innovation and have developed into reliable protectors that successfully reduce the danger of injury during abrupt stops or crashes.

The alarming noncompliance with seat belt laws, in spite of their ability to save lives, is still a major factor in the number of fatalities that occur on a daily basis, underscoring the critical necessity of adherence.

In the midst of constant technological advancement, the simple yet reliable mechanism of seatbelts is essential. Its locking mechanism makes sure occupants are safely restrained in the event of a collision by being triggered by movements of the vehicle or the belt. Nonetheless, there are still issues with knowledge and enforcement, especially in nations like India where it is legally required for front seat passengers to use seat belts.

It is imperative to implement customized safety protocols for distinct demographics, such as youngsters, expecting women, the elderly, and people with medical concerns. Essential procedures include routine maintenance, inspections, and the prompt reporting of any defects.

Wearing seat belts is more than just required by law; it’s a global commitment to saving lives and making driving safer for all road users, regardless of age, gender, or geography.

While having comprehensive car insurance offers piece of mind in the sad case of an accident, preventive steps like seat belts and other safety equipment are crucial. It offers a safety net, paying for potential liabilities, medical expenditures, and repair costs. Not only does insurance safeguard your finances, but it also reduces stress when faced with difficult circumstances.

Having proper coverage for every driver is crucial, and car insurance serves as an essential layer of security that lets you concentrate on your safety as well as the safety of other drivers.