I am working at Tata Motors for the last 16 years handling Vehicle Crash Safety and now handling Airbags, Seat belts and Steering wheel. I have witnessed many crash tests, designed and evaluated structures whether it meets the safety requirements, currently designing Airbags, Seat belts and Steering wheel to make occupants safer.
There is a need to know some fundamentals for wearing seatbelts and related to our sitting position in the car....I request all of you to read, understand and implement/follow for your safety.....share as much as you can.
(a) Seatbelt is the primary protection and an airbag is the secondary protection.
(b) This means that Airbag alone will not protect WITHOUT wearing seatbelt, in fact, they may hurt or kill or hurt badly.
(c) Except for hands holding the steering, body (trunk) shall be a minimum 300 mm away from the steering wheel.
Closer than this distance even if the seatbelt is used and the airbag operates, the driver will not be protected....so stay away from the steering by a minimum of 300 mm.
(d) Sit comfortably and ensure the buttock is not tilted towards the steering, it will make drivers slide in case of an accident. Original seats are provided to prevent the slide.
(e) Never fix crash bars or the side bars in your cars on your own....These may protect the vehicle but will kill the passengers inside due to improper impact load transfer and also altering the crumbling zone, based on which the Airbags are designed to respond in 35 milliseconds.
(f) Airbags, seat belts, steering wheel, Airbag ECU and wiring harness must be replaced once it gets used. This must be done at the authorised dealer end only...
(g) Headrest for driver and the co-passenger is very very crucial. A safety belt and airbags in functioning condition without having a headrest in the right place (see vehicle manual for correct position) will break the neck after the impact. I saw the video and clearly saw how important it is to have a headrest in position.....
I am not sure as to how many of us are aware that the headrests are detachable and they carry sharp wedges at the end, which can be used for breaking the window if one is stuck inside the car, post accident.
(h) Irrespective of distance to travel wear a seatbelt, it is not for long drives only, it is the impact that matters and not the distance...
(j) All passengers (front and rear) to wear seatbelts....kids need to be protected well too with safety cradles.....
(k) Be careful in keeping loose items in the car....as they could turn into missiles on high-velocity impact.....put them in the boot.
The amazing engineering that had gone into these developments, for our safety, incorporated by carmakers has to be used for protecting us and our near and dear ones.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time and went about the chores. Called up Hameed, our regular auto rickshaw driver and he was voluble about his wife and children who'd left him four years away. He leads a lonely existence! Poor guy.
Was ready by a 10' past 10. Went to town to pull out some money and to pick up grocery from the Supermarket. Passed through the Guruvayur temple premises and stood with folded hands at its main entrance.
On arrival at home, the BSNL guy, Pravin, had come by to put in place the last block in the optic fibre broadband connection. Consequently, I've the services of the internet but my landline is duff!
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