SEAT BELT - USAGE & SAFETY

Everyone driving on Nigerian roads, knows they should use their seat belt as required by FRSC. The law was openly enforcement in 2015. However, there is a certain percentage of people who still don’t regularly buckle up or pay little attention when using it.

Let’s be honest, do you actually know the right way to wear your seat belt? Where does the lap belt cross your body? How much slack is in the shoulder harness? What about securing kids who have outgrown a car seat or booster seat? Or restraining pets that are along for the ride?

A lot of people simply fasten their seat belts and go while others just who have it already tied down only pull it over their head, without giving these questions another thought. But, having the right fit can make a big difference when it comes to protection. Research has also shown that proper seat belt usage reduces serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 60%.

So check out these tips, and the next time you hop in the car, take a closer look at how you’re buckling up.

Seat Belt Tips for Adults
Here are the safety tips to observe when using the seat belt;

• Your shoulder harness should be worn across the shoulder and chest with minimal slack.
• Never wear it behind your back or under your arm; improper seat belt use could actually contribute to serious internal injuries in a crash.
• The lap belt should be fitted closely and low across your hips.
• And remember, while air bags offer additional protection, they are not a substitute for seat belts. For example, in a somersault crash, an air bag won’t keep you in your seat.

 For Pregnant Women these should be noted;

• secure the lap belt firmly under your bump and across your hips.
• The shoulder harness should go across your chest (keep it away from your neck) and to the side of your belly, not across it.

Car Safety for Kids
In general, kids should remain in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly into a seat belt, according to Parents Central.

However, children should be seated such that their posture meet the following conditions:

• Able to keep their backs against the vehicle seat
• Able to keep their knees naturally bent over the edge of the vehicle seat
• Able to keep their feet flat on the floor
• Keep in mind that the belt must fit snugly across the upper thighs (not the stomach)
• The shoulder harness should lie snug across the shoulder and the chest (not the neck or face).
• Check the fit for every child on every ride.

We all realize the benefits of wearing seat belts, so keep buckling up. And, make a real effort to wear them properly, too, so you get the strongest possible protection for you and your loved ones.

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Sources:

imminet.com/wp-content/.../03/3079P-Seat-Belt-Usage-Instructions-Rev2_lores.pdf

www.safercar.gov/parents/TeenDriving/pdf-teen/seatbeltuse.pdf

www.fmcsa.dot.gov › Safety › Data & Statistics

https://www.police.qld.gov.au/EventsandAlerts/campaigns/.../seat_belts_fs.pdf