The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook. John Wiseman

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ cars in the same class. You may find that the much-hyped new car of your dreams, fully equipped with state-of-the-art airbags, power steering and ABS, fares less well than a frumpy, no-frills rival.

      Safest of all, structurally, are big, heavy cars. In a collision between a large car and a supermini, the bigger car’s size and weight advantage will tell in its favour, and the supermini will come off worse every time. On the other hand, big cars cost more to buy, insure and run — so safety is not the only consideration to take into account. It is, however, an important factor, so once you decide which type of car will best suit your needs, check out the safety options on offer within that class.

SEAT BELTS

      When a car travelling at 30 mph collides with a solid object, any occupants not wearing a seatbelt will be thrown forward at about the speed the car was travelling. When their bodies hit the windscreen or dashboard (or, in the case of back seat passengers, when they hit the seats or the people in front of them) the force of the impact will be three and a half tons — roughly the weight of an elephant. It goes without saying that the human body cannot withstand that sort of impact. Death or serious injury is the inevitable outcome.

      All new cars are fitted with front and rear seat belts and in most countries it is now law that everyone in the vehicle must wear a belt where one is available. There are still many older cars which do not have rear seat belts, but most cars built since 1981 have mounting points located under the seat cushion and in the rear pillar so that it is easy to have rear belts fitted.

      REMEMBER

      Belting up has been proved to reduce injuries and save lives, so where there is a belt fitted, use it. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Passengers who don’t wear belts are not just risking their own lives — the effect of a back-seat passenger hitting the person in front at 30 mph is the equivalent of their jumping off a 30-foot building and landing on someone. Bear that in mind next time you have a passenger, who doesn’t want to wear a seatbelt.

      It’s also worth noting that insurance companies do not look kindly on people who don’t wear seat belts. If you are injured in an accident as a result of failing to wear a seatbelt, that will count against you when your claim for compensation is assessed.

      Types of seatbelt

       Inertia reels

      Most cars are fitted with inertia-reel belts on their front seats. These adjust easily and allow you some leeway for movement until the vehicle brakes suddenly or crashes, at which point inertia causes the reels to lock. To test the belt, give it a sharp tug; it should lock. Make sure the belt is adjusted so that it fits snugly. In an accident a slack belt will give little protection, because by the time the slack is taken up your head will have made contact with the dashboard.

       Pre-tensioners and web locking devices

      A pre-tensioner fitted to the buckle will tighten the belt in the moment of impact, cutting down on your forward movement. A web lock or grabber acts on the reel, preventing the belt being pulled through the spool.

       Lap belts

      Most lap belts are simple devices, little more than pieces of webbing attached to an anchor point on the car’s chassis. Because there’s no inertia reel, they need to be adjusted to minimize slackness.

       HOW TO WEAR A SEATBELT

      Seat belts are designed so that, in the event of an accident, the webbing is in contact with bony areas such as the shoulders, ribs and pelvis, thus minimizing the risk of injury to delicate fleshy tissue. Serious injury can result if the belt is not worn correctly.

      Seat belts are most effective when the wearer is sitting up straight and well back in the seat. First adjust the seat to a comfortable upright position (the further a seat is reclined, the greater the risk of your sliding out from under the belt in a crash). If your car has height-adjustable belts, position the diagonal band so that it rests midway across your shoulder. It should not be in contact with your neck, and the diagonal should never be worn under the arm. If it is not possible to adjust the height of the belt, boost your height by sitting on a cushion. Making sure that the belt is not twisted or caught on anything, pull it across your body.

      Position the lap belt across the pelvis, NOT over the stomach or waist. Always place the buckle to one side to reduce the risk of injury.

      Pregnant women must take special care to keep the belt as low as possible over the hips. If in doubt consult your doctor.

      It’s a good idea to get into the habit of always checking the belt’s release mechanism — in an emergency such as a fire, you may need to leave the vehicle in a hurry.

       SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE

      Check all belts regularly to make sure that they are in good working order and free of damage. If the webbing becomes frayed, contaminated or damaged the belt should be replaced.

      Always keep seat belts fastened when not in use — in an accident a flying belt buckle can cause serious injuries. This will also prevent stray belt straps from getting caught in the car doors, or tripping up passengers as they leave the vehicle.

      Keep all seat belts clean — dirty belts can leave marks on clothing. Never use bleach or chemical solvents as this will weaken the webbing, and NEVER dismantle the assembly to clean the belts. Use a cloth moistened with a mild detergent for cleaning, then fully extend the belts to allow them to dry thoroughly. A wet belt can cause rewinding problems. Keep the buckle and retractor free of obstructions.

       SEAT BELT REGULATIONS

       In Britain and most European countries seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers (provided a seat belt is available), unless an exemption has been granted. Exemptions can be given for medical reasons (your doctor will issue you with a certificate). Drivers making local deliveries in a vehicle designed or adapted for that purpose are also exempt, and you are allowed to remove your belt while carrying out reversing manoeuvres — though you must put it back on afterwards.

      Even if you are not involved in an accident, you can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. All occupants over the age of 14 are personally responsible for making sure they wear a belt (and liable for the fine if they don’t).

      It is the driver’s legal responsibility to see that any children under 14 wear a belt or, preferably, a restraint suited to their size and weight (a baby or child seat for infants, booster seats for bigger children). You could be fined or have your licence endorsed if you fail to ensure that children use seat belts or restraints where available.

      Most European countries will not allow children to be carried in the front passenger СКАЧАТЬ