Why Shoulder Straps Were Added To Seat Belts

Not so many years ago, the seat belts in automobiles consisted of nothing more than the lap belt, regardless of where one was sitting in the vehicle. Then, shoulder straps were added for the driver and front seat passenger nearest the door. Later, shoulder belts were added for the passengers in the rear seat nearest the doors or walls. Have you ever wondered why shoulder straps were added to car safety belts?

The reason is that the shoulder belts help to reduce spinal injuries that can be caused by an automobile accident. In the past, individuals wearing only their lap belt have suffered severe spinal, pelvic, and abdominal trauma because the only thing that kept them in place was the lap belt right in their mid section.

The addition of the shoulder strap provided more support for the entire upper body and spreading the force exerted to hold one in place over a larger area. In short, it reduced the severity of injuries that were a direct result of wearing a seat belt in the first place.

There is no doubt that wearing seat belts is much safer than not in the event of an accident. Adding the shoulder strap was a necessary step that made them safer still.