7 Seat Belt Tips For Safer Driving
We all know how seat belts are important for safe driving, but not everybody knows how to wear them correctly. And even if you do know how to wear them, there are still some important things to know about seat belts. From testing the quality of your seat belts, to behaving yourself whilst driving, let’s look at some factors which most of us are guilty of overlooking in one way or another. In this article, the safety belt experts at Orion Safety Belts are shedding light on the importance of wearing your seat belt correctly and why it’s so important to make sure that you have a good one.
There are many tips in this article about how to wear your seat belt safely, and what to do if your seat belt is damaged or worn out. More importantly, these 7 tips will help to keep you safe on the road.
1. Test your seat belts regularly
Ask yourself, when was the last time you tested your seat belt to see if it was adequately functional to protect you in the event of an emergency? Just like you would test the smoke detectors in your property, it’s crucial to test your seat belts regularly. You never know when there might be a fire or an accident, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The best way to test your seat belt is to grab the belt and try pulling it. The goal here is to get a feel for how strong your belts are, if you can easily snap them out of their buckles then they may not hold your weight when you need them most.
2. Buckle up every time you get into the car
Now this one might seem like a no-brainer, but there are still far too many drivers who neglect to buckle up every time they get behind the wheel. Seat belts are your best line of defense against serious injury in the event of an accident, even if you’re just driving across the car park, it’s important to buckle up for safety reasons.
Now that we’ve covered the importance of wearing a seat belt, let’s move on to how to wear one correctly. There are a few things you need to remember when securing your seat belt.
3. Position yourself properly in your car
One of the most common mistakes that drivers make when wearing a seat belt is not positioning themselves correctly before securing the belt. This can actually cause more harm than good, because if you’re seated incorrectly the seat belt won’t be able to do its job properly. When positioning yourself in your car, make sure that the seat belt runs across your collarbone and chest, not your neck. Ensure that you adjust the seat belt to match your height and fit accordingly. Be mindful that it doesn’t move up to your neck in the event of an accident.
The right seat belt placement will make sure that there’s a calculated safe gap between you and the dashboard.
4. Get seat belts repaired or replaced when needed
Just like anything else in your car, your seat belts will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. If you find that your seat belt is damaged, worn or broken in any way, be sure to get it fixed as soon as possible, otherwise the seat belt cannot work efficiently. It doesn’t matter how big the damage is, if you feel like your seat belt has become compromised even slightly, don’t hesitate to have someone take a look at it. Whether you’re looking for a seat belt replacement or seat belt repair, it’s highly advised you seek help from a trusted and leading seat belt manufacturer in the UK.
5. Wearing a safety harness during high-risk activities
If you work in a profession that puts you at risk for serious injury in the event of an accident, it’s always a good idea to wear belt harnesses. This will help keep you safe and secure in the event of an emergency. And even if you don’t work in a high-risk profession, it’s still a good idea to wear a safety harness if you find yourself doing jobs like hiking, camping, boating, and other activities. A safety harness is your best defense against serious injury in a potential accident.
6. Avoid the use of phones whilst driving
Another common mistake that drivers make is using their phone whilst driving. Not only does this put you at risk of an accident, but you could also seriously hurt others. As well as putting other lives at risk, if you’re caught using your phone while driving, you could face some serious penalties. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a ticket, so it’s best to just avoid using your phone while driving altogether. Now, if you absolutely need to make a call or text someone, pull over and stop your car before doing so.
7. Get the right seat belt components
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to seat belts is to use the right components. You need to be sure that all the parts of your seat belt are working properly and are in good condition. However, not all seat belts are made the same, and that’s especially true when it comes to the components that make them up. There are a few things you need to look for when purchasing a new seat belt, such as the type of buckle and the type of webbing. You’ll also want to make sure that the seat belt you choose is a good fit for your vehicle. Finding the right seat belt components can be tricky, but it’s worth it to have a safe journey.
It’s always a good idea to check with a car dealer about the type of seat belt components that are used in your car. If you’re not sure where to start, consult with a trusted seat belts manufacturer in the UK.
Finally, you always use the right components for your seat belt so that you know it will work as it should when needed most. And don’t forget about checking up on your seatbelt on a regular basis. In any case, if you need help with finding someone to repair or replace parts of your old one, give the seat belt specialists at Orion Safety a call. Our team is always ready to help you. For over 30 years, we’ve been combining precision and reliability to create true quality seat belt products that work first time. A seat belt only has to work once and we make sure it does.
