In the winter many drivers enter theirs wearing thick jackets. A simulated rear-end collision at just 16 km/h showed that the seat belt puts enough pressure on the abdomen and internal organs that even a minor collision could potentially lead to injuries.
This is because the lining of the winter jacket prevents the seat belt from fitting snugly to the body. Instead of resting on the hip bones in adults or the thighs in children, it sits very high, pressing against the person’s internal organs. The same can be done even during emergency braking.
Without a jacket, the seat belt should ideally fit snugly across the child’s thighs. Therefore, ideally it should be tied without the winter jacket. In fact, if it is necessary to wear the jacket, then the seat belt should be under the abdomen near the thighs. Special care is required with children and in child seats, as the seat belt should always fit directly across the body.
What other clothes are dangerous?
However, it’s not just thick winter jackets that can pose a safety hazard while driving. Other winter clothes are not always suitable for driving. Hats and scarves can block the driver’s vision, as can padded gloves, which do not provide a secure grip on the steering wheel. These are some of the conclusions of research by the German automobile association ADAC, which was carried out on cars through crash tests.
Also, drivers should avoid wearing bulky footwear while driving. Thick winter boots can make it difficult to accurately operate the gas and brake pedals. Although drivers are not prohibited from wearing jackets, they should always be able to react appropriately in any situation while driving.
A warm-up system just before starting the engine would solve the problem. However, drivers, according to ADAC, should always remove their jacket before getting into the car, or at least pull it over the seat belt after wearing the seat belt. Alternatively, they can ride with their winter jacket on.
Source: RES-MPE
