Nils Bohlin may not be a household name, but his contribution to saving lives is immense. His invention, the three-point seatbelt, whilst working at Volvo, has saved lives and prevented injuries since its introduction in 1959.
Outcome
It is estimated that the three-point safety belt has saved over one million lives worldwide.
A NHTSA study of lives saved by vehicle technologies found that, between 1960 and 2012, seat belts saved more lives—329,715 —than all other vehicle technologies combined, including air bags, energy-absorbing steering assemblies, and electronic stability control.
Why
Before Bohlin's pioneering design, seat belts were often rudimentary and ineffective. The two-point lap belt, while providing some restraint, did not adequately protect the upper body, leading to serious head and chest injuries in collisions. The three-point restraint, addressed this deficiency by restraining the body across the chest and lap, effectively distributing the force of impact and significantly reducing the risk of ejection and internal injury. Studies showed that wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injuries by 60%.
How
The 1959 Volvo 122 was the first car to feature the new three-point seat belt as standard. By 1963, all Volvo cars came equipped with front seat belts. Volvo's decision to make the patent for the three-point belt openly available allowed other car manufacturers to adopt the life-saving technology without restriction and it became the standard design used in vehicles worldwide.
Safety studies have played a crucial role in the standardisation process, providing irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of seat belts. In 1966, the U.S. Congress passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which set safety standards for vehicles. By 1968, seat belts were required in all new American cars. However, having seat belts installed was not enough; people needed to use them. Australia led the way, with Victoria becoming the first jurisdiction worldwide to introduce compulsory seat belt wearing legislation in 1970.
Trade-offs
Effectiveness vs. Cost : 3-point belts provide better protection but at a higher cost. This cost was ultimately passed on to consumers, potentially affecting vehicle pricing.
Safety vs. Comfort: A number of people find seat belts uncomfortable. Some may not want to deal with the inconvenience of buckling up, especially for short trips.
Safety vs. Inclusion: While 3-point belts greatly improved adult safety, they weren't initially optimal for child passengers. This necessitated the development of additional child restraint systems, adding complexity and cost for families.
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