move forward at the speed before the collision until the movement is stopped by an object blocking the vehicle In this case, the driver and passenger were not wearing seat belts and would have absorbed all the kinetic energy re- leased by the impact point → Fig. 21 . Even if the vehicle is travelling at 30km/h to 50km/h, the force acting on the human body in a collision can easily exceed one ton (1,000kg). The higher the speed, the greater the force acting on the human body. The physics of collision described in this example applies not only to frontal vehicle crashes, but al- so to all other types of accidents and collisions. Fig.
23 The rear passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, was thrown forward violently, hitting the driver wearing a seat belt Consequences of drivers and passengers without seat belts fastened Many people think they have control over their bodies when they are in a light collision, but this is a misconception! Please refer to at the start of the chapter on page 30. Even at a low speed, the force on the human body is so great that it is impossible to control your body with your hands and arms.
Drivers and passengers who are not wearing seatbelts in a head-on collision are thrown forward, slamming into the steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen or anything else in their path → Fig. 22 . Airbags should never replace seat belts! Airbags can only provide secondary protection in a crash. Not every type of accident can trigger an airbag. Therefore, even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all drivers and passengers must still wear seat belts while driving. In case of an accident, the seat belts can reduce the degree of death and injury, regardless of whether the air bags are present. Fig.
22 The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, was thrown violently for- ward The airbag can only trigger once. For optimal protection, all drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times during the journey. In case of an accident, seat belts can provide effective protection even if the airbag does not trigger. Occupants who do not wear seat belts may be thrown out of the vehicle, causing more serious injuries or even death. The rear passenger must also wear a seat belt, or they will be thrown violently forward in an acci- dent, endangering not only themselves and the driver, but others in the car → Fig. 23 . Owner's manual 32