Inflatable seat belts will appear in the back seat of a new Ford Explorer four-by-four to be launched next autumn in the US, and if they prove to be popular the belts could be used in Britain.
They have a cylindrical air bag that stretches from the buckle to the shoulder and fits inside a pocket sewn into the belt. In a crash, the car sends a signal that releases the bag, which inflates more gently than air bags found in steering wheels or dashboards, making it safer for children.
Dr Srini Sundararajan, the Ford engineer who was chiefly responsible for developing the device, said “The top two life-saving devices today are the seat belt and the air bag. This combines them into one great feature”. The wider belt and airbags help to spread the forces resulting from a crash across the occupant’s chest, reducing injury risk.
Clarence Ditlow, of the Centre for Auto Safety in the US, said the belts were particularly effective at protecting elderly people, especially from broken ribs.
Ford also carried out a significant amount of testing to make sure the bags would protect children, even if they were sleeping and their heads drooping.
Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president for sustainability, environmental and safety engineering said the technology was expensive and it would be offered as an option. Source: Telegraph, 7 November. tinyurl.com/yfavuwt
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