Seatbelt safety

VIA, (the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association), has been advised that not all consumers are being educated in the proper use of automatic locking retractor (ALR) style seatbelts when securing children in them.

Once the occupant has buckled up, it is critical to this type of seatbelt’s performance that the diagonal portion of the webbing is fully extended. 

This is done by pulling the belt outwards to its maximum, then letting the webbing retract. A ratcheting sound will be heard as the webbing goes back onto the spool. 

Once the webbing has retracted, it cannot be pulled out until the locking device is deactivated, when the seatbelt is unbuckled and fully retracted.

There have been recent instances where children were seated in an ALR seatbelt, and the belt was not fully extended once buckled. The child occupying the seat has wrapped the seatbelt webbing around their neck, then leaned forward, fully extending the webbing and engaging the ALR. 

When the child moves back and the webbing retracts and is locked around the child, panic may set in not only for the child but the adult trying to release them.

VIA advises all dealers, when selling a car with ALR seatbelts, to ensure that the buyer understands the correct way to use these safely.

For any questions, please contact VIA Technical Manager Malcolm Yorston on 0800 VIA VIA (842 842) or email technical@via.org.nz.