How to Properly Wear a Car Seatbelt
Driving procedures for four-wheeled vehicles are provided to maintain and ensure the safety of drivers. One of them is wearing a safety belt or seat belt.
The presence of this belt has become a mandatory feature in every car. To support the effectiveness of the car's seat belt, here are the correct ways to use it.
1. Sit Upright And Lean Back Against The Seat
Whether for the driver or passengers, this belt is generally installed at a height and location adjusted to the seat position. This is done to make it more comfortable to use.
However, your sitting position in the car will also affect the comfort and effectiveness of the seat belt being worn.
Therefore, it is recommended to sit in a comfortable and correct position. The correct position is to sit upright with your back against the seat back.
This way, wearing the belt will not interfere with activities. Additionally, it is not advisable to recline excessively as the belt will be positioned on the abdomen, which can cause injury.
2. Location of the Upper and Lower Belt
The upper part of the car's seat belt is the part that is angled. When pulling the belt, make sure this upper part is positioned above the back and then crosses the chest until it reaches the side of the waist.
You should know that this design is used to support comfort in use and does not restrict movement. Avoid using the upper belt under the armpit. Although it may seem neater and more spacious, its position being too low poses a risk of injury.
Worse, you could slip out of the safety belt. Additionally, make sure the lower part of the seat belt is positioned above the waist. If your sitting position is correct, then using it will be easier.
Read also: 7 Car Safety Features You Must Know
3. Check That The Belt Is Not Twisted
Before you connect the belt latch to the locking slot, it is advisable to check the condition of the strap first. What you need to check is the position and condition.
Check whether the upper and lower belt positions are properly installed. Then, check whether the car seat belt is twisted or not. A properly installed belt should not be twisted or tangled.
The strap position should be flat for both the chest (upper belt) and the waist (lower belt). A bent and twisted position will cause discomfort and reduce effectiveness.
4. Lock The Safety Belt In The Slot Until You Hear A Click
The last step is to connect or lock the seat belt. A seat belt that is still functioning perfectly will emit a click sound when connected to the slot.
With that sound, it can be ensured that the belt is locked and safe. You can also confirm by pulling the car seat belt. If it does not come loose, then you are ready to go.
It can be said that this safety device is actually not complicated to use. In fact, almost every type of new car will be equipped with factory seat belts.
You just need to ensure you are sitting in the correct position, that the belt is not twisted, and that it is securely locked. Prioritize safety while driving.
Read also: 5 Ways to Use and Benefits of Baby Car Seats
