Wearing seat belts while driving on the road is one of the best ways to protect drivers and passengers from fatal road accidents. However, like other devices, seat belts may malfunction over time and fail in some instances.
Therefore, as drivers and passengers, it pays to know which errors seat belts usually encounter to understand how to respond. Here are some of the most common reasons for seat belt failures while driving.
1. Defective Connections
Belt anchors that are not correctly attached to the seat of the car body are one of the common reasons why seat belts may fail. It includes the seatbelt webbing that connects to the car’s seat belt retractor and the car’s body.
These connections can fray, corrode, and weaken over time, thus making the material more prone to breakage when the seatbelt is engaged. Considering the material’s tensile strength, it can only withstand so much tension before it completely breaks.
2. Retractor Issues
The seat belt retractor is the problem for this type of seat belt failure. The retractor locks the webbing during its use and unlocks it once the seatbelt is released. While the retractor is designed to hold up to 3,000 lbs of force, it only lasts so long before it wears out.
As a result, the retractor can malfunction and may not be able to lock the seatbelt after releasing the webbing when engaged. It can cause the webbing to be removed, making the seatbelt unusable unintentionally.
3. Webbing Problems
When seat belt webbing is torn and is unable to reholster the belt and keep it in place, the seatbelt will fail to work correctly. The webbing can be damaged through wear and tear. Car owners may also use seat belts that are too old and prone to the effects of wear and tear. As a result, the webbing can wear out and fray, which can cause it to break and tear even more. It may also cause the seatbelt to malfunction significantly if the webbing is frayed.
4. Webbing Length Issues
Many car owners underestimate the importance of webbing length concerning seatbelt failure. While seatbelt webbing is long enough to cover the entire user and the seating position, it can also be too short for some users.
A seatbelt will only work correctly when the entire person is covered by the webbing. If the webbing is too short, the belt may not work correctly on the user and passengers. For example, a child who is too short for the seatbelt may not be able to wear it properly.
5. Seat Belt Stiffness
The stiffness of the seat belt can cause the seat belt to fail to work due to improper fitting. Seat Belts are designed to be comfortable when placed on. The seatbelt webbing should be supple and flexible for it to function correctly. Seatbelt webbing that does not stretch properly may cause the seatbelt to malfunction and cause severe injuries to the user and passengers.
6. Wear and Tear
Over time, seatbelts can lose their strength and flexibility in the webbing, which will make them prone to breakage. For example, seat belts used by children can cause the seat belts to wear out faster because of children’s smaller body mass and height.
Conclusion
While seatbelt failure is rare, it can still occur and cause severe injuries. For this reason, it pays to know which types of seat belt failures are commonly encountered, so car owners and users may take preventive action. Take care of your seatbelts when using them on road journeys, and you can avoid any significant injuries if you encounter a seatbelt failure.
SRS Restore offers seat belt repair services to ensure drivers’ and passengers’ safety while on the road. Our customers save money by bringing their vehicles to our shop, avoiding the costs of replacing the entire seat belt system. Get in touch with us today or schedule an appointment through our website today.