All Cars, All the Time

Ford to Strap One On for Safety



Ford is pioneering research into advanced next-generation safety belt technologies including a four-point “belt and suspenders” design comprising of two shoulder belts dropping down vertically over each shoulder and connecting to a center-buckled lap belt and a safety belt that incorporates an air bag directly into the belt itself. Ford officials said the airbag belt spreads the forces of a crash over a broader section of the body than a traditional, two-inch-wide seat belt does, thereby minimizing the "whipping" forces imposed on the upper torso and neck. Rear seat passengers would be prime candidates for the airbag belts.

I’ve often wondered about four-point belts in passenger cars and thought, “Why not?” Testing to date has shown these belts to be more comfortable to wear with the exception of certain body types such as pregnant women who find the belt to rub them the wrong way (or something to that effect).

Of course Ford isn’t the only one out there looking into these technologies, but they’ve certainly been making the most noise about it. Other potential advancements include better fabrics for the belt itself that would manage crash energy in a more forgiving manner.

The safety belt has been a tremendous saver of lives, more lives that all other safety devices combined according to a NHTSA representative, and these developments would further enhance its capabilities.