We all know that the law requires that we wear our seat belts when driving. The Motor Vehicle Act says in part “… wear the complete seat belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.”
Why should we worry, and how do we know what is proper?
During a collision where the occupant is wearing the seat belt properly, the hips may move ahead as much as six inches, the chest eight to nine inches and the head 20 inches. You will strike anything within those distances. Wearing a seat belt improperly can actually contribute to injury, especially in the case where the shoulder belt is worn under the arm.
The proper use of seat belts can double the effectiveness of airbags in minimizing injury.
Your vehicles owner’s manual is the best place to learn about how to wear your seat belt properly. It will explain how to fasten and adjust the belt to maximize both comfort and protection. It will also contain information on the correct use of child restraints.
Some examples of what NOT to do with a seat belt:
• wear the shoulder belt under your arm
• continue to use a frayed or broken belt
• put more than one child in a single seat belt
• use a seat belt if it is twisted and has any “do it yourself” webbing repair
For more information on this topic, visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Questions or comments are welcome by e-mail to comments@drivesmartbc.ca.
Tim Schewe is a retired RCMP constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. His column appears Friday.
