It's not just the person behind the wheel who influences the safety of those in the car. As a passenger, you also have some control over your own fate. This starts with sitting correctly. – Photo: Laura Ludwig/dpa
Feet on the dashboard and the backrest set far back: If you make yourself too comfortable in the car, it’s at the expense of your own safety. If an accident occurs, you risk serious injuries, warns Dekra, a vehicle testing organisation in Germany.
If you put your legs on the dashboard and an accident triggers the airbag, it can push your legs backwards at high speed, causing your pelvis to slide under the seat belt in a process known as “submarining.” The result can be serious or even fatal injuries.
Such "out-of-position postures" limit the functionality of the seat belt even at low speeds. To ensure that the seat belt functions as well as possible, it should be centred over the shoulder when buckling up without touching the neck, passing along the side of the arm, or under the armpits.
The belt also must be tight from the start and not go over hard objects in your clothing, such as your phone or keys. The top edge of the headrest should be at the height of the crown of your head.
Despite airbags and other safety systems, the seat belt is still an important protection for drivers and passengers. Fastening it incorrectly or not at all can have serious consequences.
According to Dekra statistics for Germany, around one in five people who die in a car accident were not wearing a seat belt. – dpa
