Adjusters compared

Seatbelt adjusters have been proposed in the past, but they have each had problems:

The Plastic Clip

A plastic clip device is on the market, which is designed to break at the onset of an accident. this will introduce slack into the seatbelt at just the wrong time. This slack allows the wearer to pitch forward into the detonating airbag or into the steering wheel or dashboard at in the first few fractions of a second in an accident. the danger of being too close to a detonating airbag has been well documented and is described as one important reason why passengers and drivers need to wear seatbelts. Of course hitting the dashboard or windshield is another important reason to wear seatbelts. A device that breaks at the start of an accident and introduces slack in the seatbelt defeats much of the seatbelt's (and Supplemental Restraint System's) protection.

Years ago, before seatbelts were part of an integrated Supplemental Restraint System, the belt was designed to mechanically lock as the body pitched forward. The problem of excess seatbelt slack was still relatively unknown. But today, SRS design has progressed considerably. Seatbelt locking mechanisms are designed to work together with seatbelt pretensioners and the airbag. Although more complex, the Supplemental Restraint System, including the seatbelts, are safer because the components are working together as a whole.

Its true that the clip will make a seatbelt more comfortable for many wearers, but its obvious that a device that breaks at the accident's onset to release slack in the upper portion of the seatbelt creates a dangerous condition. Not only that, but if the release is after the firing of the pyrotechnic pretensioners, it defeats its purpose.

The Fabric Sling

The other device that has been proposed is a fabric sling that covers the seatbelt. NHTSA has a warning about this device on their website and states that because it changes where the force of the accident is dissipated on the body of the wearer, and can cause severe internal injuries. Standard three-point seatbelts were designed to restrain the body at some of its most substantial points: the hips and shoulder. using the sling device changes where the seatbelt's restraining force will be applied. According to NHTSA, this relocation of the stress points to the center of the chest and upper stomach can cause severe internal injuries in an accident.

But now there is a device that eliminates these problems:

the Seatbelt Positioner by SeatbeltMasters

The SeatbeltMasters Seatbelt Positioner does not change the places where the seatbelt retains the body during an accident and will not break or allow the seatbelt to slip during a collision. It also eliminates the problem of introducing slack at the onset of an accident, and preserves the protection of the seatbelt and Supplemental Restraint system.

This is the only Seatbelt Positioner that preserves the seatbelt system's integrity.

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              7301 Brookside Drive
               Frederick, MD   21702
            301-473-7900

Here are some tips to ensure that your belts provide the safety you and your passengers deserve:

	Always wear your seat belt, and insist that your passengers do the same. One non-restrained passenger can seriously injure others in the vehicle.
	Seat belts help prevent internal injuries by spreading the force of a collision across two of the human body's strongest areas - the pelvis and upper chest. To ensure the proper distribution of force, the lap belt should be positioned across the upper thighs, and the diagonal belt across the chest.
	Never slip the diagonal belt behind your body; the lap belt alone cannot prevent you from being thrown forward and out of the vehicle. The lap belt also must be used at all times. Without this restraint, your body would simply be thrown under the diagonal belt and into the dashboard or steering wheel.
	Make sure your belt fits snugly against your body; if it is too loose, you could be injured by being thrown against the belt itself.
	If your seat belts don't seem to operate correctly, or you cannot adequately adjust them, return the car to a dealership or qualified repair shop for assistance.
	If your vehicle is fitted only with lap belts (pre-1974 models), contact a dealership for an upgrade to a three-point harness. Aftermarket kits are available for many vehicle makes and models.