Seatbelt usage

jfkmk wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

jfkmk wrote:


Bumpy,

Crashes don't normally happen in slow motion or even slowly enough for the driver to think to scream out a code word, and the passenger to hear the word, process it, and take appropriate action. If you had all this time, you'd typically have enough time to avoid the crash in the first place. You're really fooling yourself if you think this would do any good. Besides, an unbelted passenger would probably be just as injured if they "hit the deck" or simply be thrown as they stand up. Forces in a crash are incredible, and no matter what you might see in a movie, you can't just "hold on".

tell you what we can do a little test. we'll get into a class A rv, drive down the road, I'll slam on the brakes with you standing in the aisle, then repeat it with you lying on the floor. Oh wait, lets reverse that procedure so you will be able to undergo part B.
I didn't say it was fool proof, etc. just be good to have an understanding as to action if the unforseen occurs.
reminds me of my wife's help when backing into a space,she tried to figure out meaningful hand/arm signals when to stop if needed immediately. my suggestion, yell "STOP" at the top of her lungs.
bumpy

Hello bumpy,
First off, a Happy Thanksgiving!

Unfortunately, your theory and test is flawed. In your test, both the driver and the passenger know it is a test, and are prepared to take action. They're ready for it, not like an unexpected crash. There's quite a difference there!

You're slamming on the brakes provides no where near the forces that are in play during a crash. No matter how hard you stand on the brakes, there simply is no comparison to a crash.

I can do the same thing in any vehicle with a passenger. Yell "brace yourself" then slam on the brakes, and there's probably not much of a need for seat belts. Slam into the back of the car in front of me, there's more need for seat belts, no matter how alert the driver is and yells in time for the passenger to take action.

Heck, if it were that easy, there would probably be fewer seatbelt laws. Just depend on the driver to yell and buckle up then!

Lastly, backing up at 2-5 mph and being able to stop when your wife yells stop is a lot different than tooling down the highway at 65. Not sure why this was even mentioned!

since VA and NJ are close, lets find a Class A owner in Del who doesn't mind a little blood on his windshield who will loan us his vehicle for a test.

and just because the subjects know what is coming doesn't diminish the test results of standing vs lying down.
bumpy