Full boot? This seat belt trick will help absorb impact

By dpa | 15 November 2019


BERLIN: In the event of an accident, heavy objects in a car’s boot can become dangerous projectiles. In a violent stop, the back seat may not withstand their force as they fly forward and can flip forward.

According to Juergen Bente of the German Road Safety Council, drivers can reduce this risk by cross-buckling the seat belts of the unoccupied back seat.

This is done by inserting each latch plate into the buckle on the opposite side; the right strap goes into the left latch, the left strap in the right latch.

Stretched across the upholstery, the seat belts, which are anchored to the car's steel frame, can help absorb sudden force from the trunk area during a frontal collision.

When it comes to packing the boot, suitcases should be gathered in a block in the boot with nothing in between them. Keep the weight balanced. One side being heavier than the other causes uneven wear to the car's tyres and shock absorbers. The car’s handling also worsens.

Loose items should be strapped down, preferably with elastic straps connected to the metal rings or stays that are provided in the luggage area.

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