BUCKLE UP WHY YOU SHOULD WEAR SEAT BELTS
TATA SONS EX-CHAIRMAN CYRUS MISTRY’S DEATH IN A CAR CRASH HAS PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SEAT BELTS FOR REAR PASSENGERS
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
When a car hits a moving or stationary object at a high speed, the passengers are thrown towards the front of the vehicle with a great velocity
Passengers not seated upright and without seat belts can hit the seat in front of them, the side interiors, or even collide with fellow passengers
According to the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, unbuckled backseat passengers are eight times more prone to serious injuries or death than those who do wear the seat belt
HOW IT HAPPENED
On September 4, Mistry and his friend, both seated in the rear, were killed and the couple in the front was seriously hurt after their speeding SUV hit a highway divider. Neither rear passenger was wearing a seat belt. Result: fatal head injuries.
WHY HEAD-ON COLLISIONS ARE SO DEADLY
What makes head-on collisions catastrophic is the sheer force generated by the impact. For instance, even at 20 miles per hour (about 32 kmph), and with seat belts on, the front row occupants would feel that they were hit by a mass of 1,500 kg. Without seat belts, the impact would be tantamount to being hit by a mass of 7,600 kg.
DO AIRBAGS GIVE ENOUGH PROTECTION?
Airbags are a ‘supplementary’ restraint system, with seat belts providing primary restraint. The SUV in which Mistry was travelling comes with seven airbags—for the driver, front passenger, driver knee, driver side and front-passenger side besides curtain airbags on the sides for rear passengers. As there are no front-facing airbags for those sitting in the rear, even if the curtain airbags open up, the passengers are likely to sustain severe injuries if they aren’t buckled up.
HOW TO PREVENT DEATHS
Choose cars with more airbags: Cars with more airbags for the front and rear passengers can offer more protection and save lives, although they come at a higher price
Buckle up: Besides the driver, those sitting in the front and rear should always wear seat belts while travelling
Store loose objects: Floating objects can become dangerous in a forceful collision; so it is important not to leave any loose objects in the car while it’s moving
Control your speed: Nothing can be safer than having control over your vehicle, and that comes with limiting speed and doing routine car checkups
WHAT ARE THE COMMON INJURIES?
A car crash can lead to serious injuries of the chest, head, neck and spine. While head injuries are the most common, other injuries range from brain bleeds and bruised or fractured ribs to heart, lung and spinal damage. There could also be burns, scars or limb loss. Seat belts can prevent serious injuries and reduce the risk of death.