Drivers urged to rethink seat belt myths and embrace safety

Many drivers still perpetuate the myth that sometimes it's better not to fasten seat belts, believing that in the event of an accident, being thrown from the car is preferable to suffocating or burning inside it. However, seat belts have saved countless lives during accidents. Moreover, they are crucial even when escaping the vehicle is difficult.

After an accident, the car doors can become so damaged that they cannot be opened from the inside. It is easier to open them from the outside, as there is a more solid point of leverage, and with the assistance of another person, we can try to pull them off. Firefighters often use this method and need to cut through the bodywork less frequently.

However, there are situations where immediate evacuation of the vehicle is crucial for our safety, such as when the car starts to catch fire, is in a location exposed to another impact, or has fallen into water. In these cases, seat belts can be invaluable.

It’s worth paying attention to the so-called buckle, sometimes referred to by manufacturers as a loop. This is the metal part we clip into the lock, also known as the latch socket. It is an exceptionally sturdy element, made from thick steel sheet, that fits well in the hand.

This element can break the side window to exit the vehicle. Of course, a hammer (such as those found on buses) is more convenient, but we usually have nothing more accessible than the seat belt buckle. It's worth remembering this should the need arise, although we hope it never does for anyone.