Serious and responsible driving means paying attention, above all, to restraint systems, for both adults and children. Misuse of the seat belt can cause the submarining effect.
The dangers we are exposed to when driving are many, and we have covered them extensively here through the so-called “effects” (from the elephant effect to the tunnel effect, among others) which, ultimately, depend on how attentive we are at the wheel and how responsible we are when driving our vehicle.
The submarining effect -which is the one we are looking at today- occurs when the seat belt is not properly adjusted or we have reclined our seat too far to be more comfortable. In the event of sudden braking, for example, the body will end up sliding under the lap belt very easily. And this is extremely dangerous.
Left unrestrained, the damage could be serious, causing injuries from hitting the dashboard and its lower part, the steering wheel, or the windscreen itself. Internal bleeding of varying severity, fractures, ruptures, injuries of varying severity… are some of the consequences.
Tips to help the seat belt do its job properly
It is not enough to put on the seat belt, as the rules say. As a restraint system, it will work if we use it correctly. Is it safe to drive wearing a bulky coat? The answer is no, as we explain below in this short list of recommendations. Anything that prevents optimum restraint can be dangerous:
- We should sit directly on the seat, that is, no cushions or small pillows on the seat; modern seats can be adjusted to raise their height and reach the steering wheel comfortably if we are short in stature.
- The belt straps must be properly adjusted, both across the hips and at shoulder height.
- The belt must be close to our body, so neither loose clothing nor a bulky coat are advisable when getting into the vehicle.
- Fastening the seat belt into our seat’s anchorage is something we must do before starting the vehicle. Putting it on while the car is moving, because we are in a hurry, is a very bad practice that must be avoided.
- It is important not to add any accessory to the seat belt, or to the seat, so that the vehicle’s built-in safety mechanisms can do their job.