Seatbelt must be tight against the body
Insurance companies and automobile clubs warn motorists not to get into the car wearing a down jacket or other thick winter coat. The few centimeters of play between the seatbelt and the body can lead to life-threatening injuries.
At this time of year, it is often freezing cold when you get into the car. Therefore, many people keep their thick (down) jacket on for the entire car ride. New research by the Norwegian insurance company Trygg Forsikring shows that 56 percent of all motorists do not bother to take off their winter coat.
And although it is somewhat less cold in the Netherlands in winter than in Norway, driving without a jacket is no fun here either. Nevertheless, driving with a thick jacket is a dangerous mistake.
Less quickly tight
It is crucial for safety that the seatbelt is tight around the body during a collision. Wearing the seatbelt over a thick jacket creates slack, which means it takes longer for the seatbelt to tighten during a collision.
A crash test by the German Adac shows that a loose seatbelt can cut into the stomach after an impact and damage the intestines, liver, and spleen. This can cause internal bleeding and result in life-threatening injuries.
You also risk being thrown further forward than necessary before the seatbelt tightens. This increases the risk of injury. In a collision, the seatbelt mechanism must immediately lock and hold the body in place.
It is no coincidence that racing drivers are strapped in extremely tightly before they start a race.
Danger of internal bleeding
The ANWB, the German Adac, and Veilig Verkeer Nederland (Dutch Road Safety Association) have long urged drivers and passengers to take off their thick winter jacket or down jacket in the car.
So: warm up the car beforehand if possible, turn on any seat heating, take off your jacket when you are in the car, and fasten the seatbelt as tightly as possible. It is no coincidence that in countries like France, Belgium, and Spain, you can get a fine of at least 174 euros if you wear a jacket that is too thick.
Wool or fleece clothing is better
To stay warm, you can alternatively wear warm clothing made of fleece or wool, as these garments are thinner than a winter jacket. And if you can’t prepare, then exhale before you leave and pull your seatbelt as tightly as possible to minimize the space between the belt and your body.