Motoring corner:“Seat-Belts & Airbags (Cont’d)

Continuing with our Seat-belts, if you are struck from the side, the impact could push you back and forth across the seat. Seat-belts and shoulder harnesses keep you in a better position to control the vehicle and may minimize serious injuries. In many countries, seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of vehicles moving on the roads. Some people might be wondering as to how small children could be fastened to their seats! Simple, any child under the age of six years and weighing less than 30kg., must be secured in a legally approved child passenger restraint system and ride in the back seat of a vehicle. This means that, such children are barred from using the from seat whatsoever the case may be! Many a parent tends to think that, they are showing their children love by allowing them to ride in the front seat while standing on either the seat or car floor! This is a very foolish and dangerous practice that such parents could live to regret in case they got involved in any accident (minor or major)! Proper child passenger restraint system installation can be checked by contacting Traffic Police Office that may provide you with the relevant guidelines in your area. As your child grows, check with these agencies to confirm that the car seat is the correct size for your child. A child under the age of six years, and weighing less than 30kg. may ride in the front seat of a vehicle only in the following instances: there is no rear seat or the rear seats are either side-facing jump seats or rear-facing seats, e.g. on Pickup trucks. Where the child passenger restraint system cannot be properly installed in the rear seat. All rear seats are already occupied by children under the age of 12 years. A medical reason requires the child to ride in the front seat. A child may not ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle if the child; Is less than one year of age or weighs less than 10kg. Most people can take steps to eliminate or reduce air bag risk without turning off air bags. The biggest risk is being too close to the air bag. An air bag needs about 25cm of space to inflate. Ride at least 25cm (measured from the centre of the steering wheel to your breastbone) from the air bag cover, if you can do this while maintaining full control of the vehicle. If you cannot safely sit 20cm away from the air bag, then that Airbag is not for you because it may not perform what it was meant to do safely! Passengers should also sit at least 20cm away from the passenger side air bag. Side-impact air bags can provide extra safety benefits to adults in side-impact crashes. However, children who are seated next to a side air bag may be at risk of serious or fatal injury. Since side air bags are different in design and performance, you should consider the benefits and risks associated with the use of side air bags if you transport children. Studies have shown that children who are leaning against a side air bag when it inflates are at risk of serious injury. These studies also show that children who are traveling in a correctly installed child restraint system appropriate to age and weight are not at risk of serious injury. These children are usually not in the path of a side air bag when it inflates. motoringcorner@live.co.uk

Lifestyle

Motoring corner:“Seat-Belts & Airbags (Cont’d)