Correct sitting position in the car saves lives

Restraint systems such as airbags and seat belts only protect in an accident if the seating position is correct. TCS has investigated occupant safety and the severity of injuries in various seating constellations. That it is not a good idea to take a nap in a reclining position as a front passenger on the way to vacation was very clearly shown in the crash test conducted in cooperation with the ADAC. For the test, the front-seat passenger Dummie was placed in a semi-recumbent position. In addition, his feet were placed on the dashboard. The driver dummy was placed in a "comfortable" reclining position with more distance to the steering wheel. During the test, the vehicle collided head-on with a stationary obstacle at 64 km/h. The 3-point seat belt was unable to adequately secure the dummies in the test positions. Due to the changed seating positions, the head and upper body took longer to reach the airbag, causing the driver to hit the steering wheel and the passenger dummy to hit the dashboard. As a further consequence, the upper body twisted and hit the vehicle's B-pillar on rebound. The impact of the head directly on the steering wheel, which can be the case if the airbag is not functioning or in older vehicles without airbags, would result in severe or even fatal head injuries. In addition, the risk of slipping under the lap belt increases in the event of an impact in the prone position (passenger), resulting in severe torso injuries.

Feet not on dashboard

As tempting as it is, the tests have shown that the front passenger should never place his or her feet on the dashboard while driving. As a result of the passenger's elevated legs, the airbag had no protective effect whatsoever during the tests. On the contrary, the opening airbag hit the elevated legs against the dummy's upper body and head. In the event of an accident, this would result in severe or fatal injuries to the torso and head.

Tips for the correct sitting posture in the car

Various crash tests have shown that the correct seating position in a car can prevent injuries and even save lives. Therefore, the following applies to all car occupants:

• Even on long journeys, it is important that the handlebars and passenger are seated correctly and comfortably. In principle, the seat height should be selected so that you have a good all-round view.
• The distance between the handlebars and the steering wheel should be between 25 and 30 centimeters. Anyone who is cramped and sits too close to the steering wheel risks tiring more quickly. In addition, an incorrect sitting position makes it impossible for the driver to react quickly in an emergency.
• The backrests of the driver and passenger should be vertical. When operating the pedals, the knees must not be stretched through. The co-driver should always keep his legs in the footwell.
• To provide the best possible protection in the event of a rear-end collision, the neck support should reach as high as possible, but no higher than the top of the head.

Source: TCS