What is a Car Safety Belt? Know Its Types!
The car safety belt is one of the mandatory features in a car. The safety belt itself serves as a safety feature. However, along with developments in the automotive world, the safety belt has also evolved in terms of design and function. Below will be explained in detail what a safety belt is in a car and its various types.
What Is a Car Safety Belt?
A safety belt is an accessory in the form of a strap that functions as a safety feature. The safety belt is often referred to as a seatbelt because its function is to secure passengers or drivers from sudden movements or being thrown out during an accident. This way, the risk of head injuries or injuries to other vital body parts can be prevented. In addition, the safety belt also provides comfort for drivers as it keeps the body in an upright position.
Types of Safety Belts
Developments in the automotive world today certainly not only impact performance and design of cars but also affect safety features like safety belts, resulting in many types. Here are the types of safety belts you need to know.
1. Lap Belt
The lap belt type is the precursor to all types of safety belts. This type is the first generation safety belt that was often used in cars of the past. This type of safety belt has a strap design that crosses over the lap of the driver or passenger. This type of safety belt can also be adjusted for size to ensure user comfort. Although it is considered a first-generation safety belt, this type is still used in some modern cars, especially installed in the middle and rear seats of the car.
2. Sash
This type of safety belt is the second generation safety belt. This safety belt has a strap design that crosses over the user's shoulder and is often used in older cars produced in the 1960s. However, by the late 1990s, the use of sash began to be abandoned because this safety belt could easily come undone during strong impacts or accidents.
3. Combination of Lap and Sash
The next type is the safety belt that adopts the design of both lap and sash types. This type was widely used in the 1960s to 1970s, specifically in the rear passenger seats.
4. Two-Point Belt
The two-point belt is a safety belt that applies a restraint system that relies on two points like the lap belt type.
Read Also: 5 Ways to Properly Use a Car Seatbelt
5. Automatic Belt
As the name suggests, this safety belt can be installed automatically. The automatic belt was first created in the early 1990s and was specifically used in luxury cars.
6. Three-Point Belt
The three-point belt has a design similar to the combination of sash and lap belt. The three-point belt is claimed to protect the chest, shoulder, and groin during an accident because the belt can optimally restrain those body parts.
7. Five-Point Belt
As the name suggests, this safety belt has five restraint points on the body to prevent the body from being thrown during an accident. Although considered safe, this type of safety belt restricts the user's movement.
8. Six-Point Belt
This type of safety belt is usually used in professional racing cars because it can secure the chest, shoulders, groin, and both legs from the risk of injury during an accident.
Thus, the review of the various types of safety belts. Considering its vital function, make sure you always use it while driving.
