Cars have had a multitude of different technological advancements and innovations throughout the years. And while all of these advancements have significantly changed the automotive industry, there’s one piece of technology that can be considered as one of the most important innovations of all time: seat belts.
The seat belt may not seem like much, but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it has completely changed the world since its invention in 1885. In fact, the devices dramatically reduced the risk of death and serious injury among drivers and front-seat passengers. By simply using a seat belt, the risk of death is reduced by 45%, while the risk of serious injury dropped by 50%!
Given their importance, it’s in your best interest to make sure that your seat belts are working the right way at all times. And while this usually isn’t a problem since the devices are sturdy, things become rather complicated if your vehicle is ever involved in a crash.
Crashes put a huge strain on seat belts to the point they may even sustain damage after the crash. In cases like this, should you consider a seat belt replacement? If you want to know the answer to this question, read on as we discuss everything you need to know about replacing seat belts after a crash!
Do You Need to Replace Seat Belts?
What you have to understand is that seat belts, just like airbags, are single-use items. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that seat belts are designed to work one time only. Now, you may find this a little confusing as you use them every day. However, these devices aren’t engaged unless your vehicle experiences a collision that’s strong enough to trigger them. In essence, the strength of the collision is measured by sudden deceleration.
To fully understand this, let’s talk about how seat belts work. The most important part of it is the pretensioner. This is the part that’s responsible for controlling the slack on the seat belt itself. This prevents the driver and passengers from being whipped around in case of a crash. Another important part is the locking retractor, which keeps the seat belt in place during a crash. What you have to understand is that once it locks up, there’s no way to release it. This is why you’ll need a seat belt replacement if your car is ever involved in a crash.
Can You Repair Seat Belts?
Now, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to replacing your seat belt. Well, you’ll be glad to know that it is possible to repair your seat belt. However, these types of repairs should only be done by experienced professionals. Our team at Seat Belt Restore can help you with your seat belt repairs. We can provide you with a cost-effective alternative to replacing your safety devices.
Conclusion
So, should you repair or replace your seat belts? Well, this depends on the resources that you have on hand. If you can afford to replace the seat belts altogether, then that is still a perfectly acceptable solution. If you’re looking for alternatives to replacing your seat belt, having professionals repair the seat belt is still the best way to go!
The experts at Seat Belt Restore specialize in repairing and rebuilding faulty seat belts. For any seat belt issues or seat belt repairs, don’t hesitate to contact us today to see how we can help!