You forget this crucial step when you buckle up

The three-point seat belt was introduced by Volvo in the late 1950s and has saved many lives since then. Some people put on their seat belts but forget a crucial step, still putting them at risk of injury.

After Volvo introduced the three-point seat belt, it took another sixteen years before wearing it became compulsory in the Netherlands. This obligation has only applied to passengers in the back seat since 1992. It is estimated that wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of a fatal accident by 30 to 40 percent. Yet many still wear their seat belts incorrectly.

How to properly wear your seat belt

We’re not talking about people who tuck their belts behind their backs or under their arms. It should be clear by now that this is not the correct way to put on your seat belt. Even when you sling the belt neatly over your shoulder, it’s more than click-and-go. When buckling up, a crucial step is often skipped: putting on the seat belt.

When you buckle a three-point seat belt, always make sure you pull it snug. This way the belt fits snugly around your pelvis and there is less slack in the belt when you need it. This is how you stay in place in the event of an accident. Very important as most safety systems such as airbags only work properly if you remain in your seat in a crash.

Some modern cars are forgiving. If you forget to put your seat belt on, the car will do it for you if you hit the brake hard. In addition, there are belt tensioners that tighten the seat belts in the event of an impact. These are activated at the moment when the airbag sensor is also triggered. Help these systems out and strap yourself in from now on.