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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts

Fig. 61 shows an unbelted Volkswagen Golf Mk7 driver thrown forward in a collision, and Fig. 62 shows an unbelted rear passenger thrown forward into the belted driver. This page corrects a common misconception directly: you cannot brace yourself with your hands, even in a minor, low-speed collision — the forces involved are far beyond what human strength can resist.

Fig. 61 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards

Fig. 62 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is not true.

Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that occupants cannot brace themselves with their arms and hands. In a frontal collision, unbelted vehicle occupants are thrown forwards and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehicle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen  .

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide additional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.

An airbag can only be triggered once. To achieve best possible protection, seat belts must always be worn properly. This also ensures that protection is provided in accidents in which the airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a result.

It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing seat belts endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle  .

    Questions & answers

    What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

    What happens to an unbelted driver in a Golf Mk7 crash?
    The driver is thrown forwards into the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen. Even at low speeds the forces are so great that bracing with the hands is impossible.
    Can an unbelted rear passenger injure other Golf Mk7 occupants?
    Yes. An unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards into the front seat with a force many times their body weight, causing severe injuries to themselves and to the belted front occupant.
    Is it safe to ride unbelted in the back of the Golf Mk7 for short trips?
    No. The manual makes clear that the physics of a collision do not change with journey length. Even a short trip at urban speeds produces forces far beyond what the human body can absorb without restraint.
    Why can't I brace myself with my hands in a Golf Mk7 collision?
    At even 30 km/h the effective weight of the body in a crash is many times its actual weight. No amount of arm strength can counteract that force.
    Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
    Fig. 59 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall Fig. 60 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall First read and observe the introductory information and safety ...

    Seat belt protection
    Fig. 63 Driver restrained by a properly positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings Correctly fastened seat b ...

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