Buckle up or face the consequences
Motorists are the first to admit that seatbelts might not be the most comfortable things ever made, but at the same time, they serve a very particular purpose
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2014/12/Seatbelt.jpg)
Many cars have what we deem as annoying seat-belt reminding tones that force us to put the belt on.
These tones have been put in place for a very specific reason. When involved in an incident it often leads to rapid deceleration or even acceleration in the case of a rear impact. This is due to the law of inertia that states that an object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Where an unbalancing force comes in, your body bears the brunt of the impact as you continue at the same speed the car was going, only to be stopped when your body hits something like the windscreen, dashboard or the other car.
Without a safety belt your body is flung forward, which rapidly increases your likelihood of head, neck and spinal trauma.
Seat-belts are, therefore, designed to catch you and hold you back. The seat-belt also acts as a preventative measure as it applies stopping force across a large section of the body so that damage is reduced.
The small amount of bruising the seatbelt may cause, is very mild compared to your body hitting other objects.
We ask that you ensure that you and your passengers buckle up as soon as you get into the car – it really can save your life.
Source: Autodealer