EU regulation: Bodyguard in the car mandatory - seat belt saves lives
Created: 06/27/2022, 17:39
By: Stella Henrich
From July 6th, vehicles must be equipped with more safety features.
This is stipulated by an EU regulation.
The seat belt warning system has been mandatory since 2019.
Munich – The system, like the seat belt warning, should already be familiar to most drivers of modern cars.
The vast majority of vehicles are now equipped with this system.
Since September 1, 2019, the warning system for front and rear seats has been mandatory for new type-approved passenger cars.
From July 6, 2022, the unfastened seatbelt warning will be mandatory for all newly registered cars, i.e. mandatory for all newly registered passenger cars.
This is stipulated in the EU regulation 2019/2144 in point 12
.
Before you set off, seatbelts are compulsory.
A warning system reminds the driver of this.
(symbol image) © imago
Seat belts are one of the most important and effective vehicle safety features.
The seat belt warning system has the potential to prevent even more deaths and reduce injuries.
Despite the fact that seat belts are compulsory, not all drivers buckle up, reports the ADAC and draws attention to the life-saving function of seat belts in cars.
EU car regulation: Seat belts compulsory from July 2022
At a speed of just 30 kilometers per hour, it becomes dangerous even without a seat belt.
A crash at this speed has similar consequences as a fall from a height of four meters, warns the
ADAC
on its website.
If the driver or passenger is not buckled up at 64 kilometers per hour, the crash, even with an airbag, can lead to life-threatening injuries to the head or chest, and the legs can even be shattered, according to the ADAC, referring to a simulated crash test with dummies.
Car safety: These other assistance systems are planned*:
Intelligent speed assistant
emergency braking assistant
emergency brake light
Emergency Lane Departure Warning
Device for installing an alcohol immobilizer
Fatigue and attention warning
reversing assistant
Tire pressure monitoring (mandatory since 2014)
Accident data storage (black box)
*Source: Merkur.de
Vehicle approval: According to ADAC, the belt must fit
The traffic club emphasizes that it is not only important that the seat belt is put on, it also has to fit in order to protect the occupant.
So-called adaptive restraint systems provided the right protection.
And vice versa: What use is a perfect seat belt if the driver doesn't put it on.
Because many drivers - 50 percent of those surveyed - apparently make the mistake of not buckling up for short journeys.
This is the result of accident research statistics from insurers for the years 2017/2918.
A sophisticated seat belt warning system makes sense, but the ADAC traffic club recommends that drivers and passengers still pay attention to a few important things when putting on the belt.
A twisted seat belt should always be unraveled, never repair tears in the seat belt yourself, always tighten seat belts, only drive off when all occupants are buckled up and take off thick jackets before buckling.
Above all, the belts of child seats should be checked regularly.
Warning lights in the car and what they mean
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