3 ms·
iirc, Volvo did a lot of testing to find the optimum setup in an ordinary passenger car. The 3-point belts worked best, as they were the easiest to get out of
by eatmyshorts 11y ago
iirc, Volvo did a lot of testing to find the optimum setup in an ordinary passenger car. The 3-point belts worked best, as they were the easiest to get out of after an accident. Remember that race cars typically have people waiting in the event of an accident to assist in removing the person from the car. In a more typical accident, it can be much longer before help arrives. As a result, seat belt setups must be easy for the user to get out of by themselves. While 5-point systems fared better in the actual accidents, 3-point systems more than compensated by allowing individuals to free themselves from the car and preventing further injuries.
- WalterBright 11y agoThe 5 point racing harnesses have a very easy to use quick release on it, as it releases all the straps at once. You don't have to unthread your arm from it, like you do with a typical car 3 point system, and the release on typical auto belts is inferior. The webbing is narrower and thinner, too. I wonder if that was a factor in the Volvo study.
- fluidcruft 11y agoIt doesn't seem like a five-point harnesses would work well with a skirt, dress or kilt.
- WalterBright 11y agoThey also make 4 point ones, which don't have that issue. The crotch strap is to prevent your body from submarining out from under the lap belt.
- mzs 11y agoWhen I crew it takes a few minutes to adjust the seat and harness anytime we have a driver change. The genius of the modern three point seat belt is how easy it is to put on (comparable to lap belt, yet much more effective), how comfortable it is to wear (with the advent of the spool and height adjustment), and effective (due to seatbelt pretensioners).