Seatbelt Failure

Seatbelt laws have been passed though out the United States requiring passengers and passengers to wear seat belts while in a motor vehicle. On the other side of the coin, it is the automobile manufacturers' responsibility to thoroughly test seatbelts to ensure safe operation. On occasion, defective seatbelts do not properly restrain the vehicle occupant in a car wreck, causing personal injury and in some cases a wrongful death. Thankfully, seatbelt failure due to malfunction is not common.

Protect yourself by always wearing seat belts properly and by being aware of potential design problems that can lead to failure.
Potential problems include:

• Not wearing set belt properly. Always wear the diagonal sash belt from the center f the shoulder and across the chest. Ensure that children are not pulling the sash belt behind their backs.
  
• Unlatching. This could also be called false latching in which it looks and sounds like the buckle has clicked into place but in fact the release mechanism is only partially engaged. Avoid this problem by tugging on the seatbelt a few times after it has been secured to make sure it is really in place.
  
• Torn webbing. Check seatbelts periodically to make sure there are no tears or damage.
  
• Retractor failure. If the locking mechanism to hold the belt webbing in place during an accident fails, there may be enough slack in the belt to allow an injury.