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Given that the passengers of the vehicle in our
example do not have their seat belts fastened,
in the event of a collision the entire amount
of the passengers' kinetic energy will be only
absorbed by the mentioned impact.
Even at speeds of 30 km/h (19 mph) to 50
km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on bodies in
a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1000
kg). At greater speed these forces are even
higher.
Vehicle occupants not wearing seat belts are
not "attached" to the vehicle. In a head-on
collision, they will move forward at the same
speed their vehicle was travelling just before
the impact. This example applies not only to
head-on collisions, but to all accidents and
collisions.
Even at low speeds the forces acting on the
body in a collision are so great that it is not
possible to brace oneself with one's hands. In
the event of a head-on collision, vehicle occu-
pants not wearing a seat belt will be thrown
uncontrollably forward and will collide, for ex-
ample, against the steering wheel, instrument
›››
panel or windscreen
Fig. 21.
It is also important for rear passengers to wear
seat belts properly, as they could otherwise be
thrown forward violently through the vehicle
interior in an accident. If a rear seat occupant
is not wearing a seat belt, they are not only en-
dangering themselves but also the occupants
›››
of the front seats
Fig. 22.
Seat belts
Safety
Fastening and unfastening the seat
belt
Fig. 23
Insert the latch plate of the seat
belt into the buckle.
Fig. 24
Release the seat belt's latch plate.
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occu-
pants in the position that most protects them
in the event of an accident or sudden braking
›››
.
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
●
Adjust the front seat and head restraint cor-
›››
rectly
page 40.
●
Engage the seat backrest of the rear seat in
›››
an upright position
.
●
Pull the latch plate and place the belt web-
bing evenly across your chest and lap. Do not
twist the seat belt when doing so
●
Insert the buckle plate in the buckle of the
›››
correct seat
Fig. 23.
●
Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is
securely engaged in the buckle.
Releasing the seat belt
Only unfasten the seat belt when the vehicle
›››
has come to a standstill
.
●
Press the red button on the buckle
›››
Fig. 24. The latch plate is released from
the buckle.
●
Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up
easily and the trim will not be damaged.
›››
.
45
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