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How do I tell if seat belts were in use?
In low speed collisions you will not find conclusive evidence of
use or non-use. The following may be indicators of whether or not
belts were in use:
Belts cut, as the result of extrication by rescue personnel is the
best sign of use. Ejection from the vehicle is a strong indication
of non-use. Belts stuffed down in the seat or obviously extended
too large or small for the usual occupant indicate non-use.
Bloodstains, dirt or glass fragments on the belt indicate use as
they would not be present had the belt been coiled up.
Steering wheel deformation is unlikely if the driver is restrained.
Bruising from the belt can be a positive sign of belt use, but the
absence of bruising is not a definite sign of non-use.
Collisions over 20 km/h will leave a belt feeling stiff as the webbing
has been stretched. Use latex gloves and compare the feel to other
belts, as these will feel more pliable.
Seat belts under load and playing out over the shoulder guide generate
heat from the friction. This heat results in the belt picking up
fibres from clothing or even skin of occupants, and in some cases
melted plastic from the guide itself.
Changes in the pattern of the weave of the belt or burst threads
from tension at attachment points and may be a sign of loading and
can be observed with the use of a magnifying glass. The latch hole
of the buckle may appear distorted or gouged as the result of heavy
loading. Floor mounting plates may be deformed.
Signs of occupant impact with the vehicle interior in line with
the angle of the collision indicate non-use, however, in high-speed
collisions a buckled occupants chest may still move forward 12 inches.
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