Nobody thinks about it: fastening the seat belt is essential even on empty seats

All drivers should get into the habit of wearing seat belts in the rear even when there are no passengers sitting in the back.

Fastening your seatbelt before hitting the road has become a reflex for almost all drivers. But this rule, which seems so obvious today, is not so old. It dates back to 1973 and at the time only applied to passengers sitting in the front of the car. It wasn't until 1990 that this obligation was extended to all occupants. This safety system, which serves to restrain us in the event of a violent collision, saves lives every day. But while everyone has gotten into the habit of buckled up, almost no one thinks to buckle up the seatbelts of unoccupied seats in a vehicle. It may seem unnecessary, yet this gesture, which only takes a few seconds, can prove to be lifesaving.

Especially during the busy holiday season when cars are particularly full. On the roads in summer, most cars travel at high speeds with their trunks full. Suitcases, coolers, strollers, and beach toys are often crammed into the trunk, and few vacationers take the time to use a securing system to securely lock them in place.

Unfortunately, in the event of an impact or collision with another vehicle, these objects can become veritable projectiles. This phenomenon, known as the "elephant effect," significantly amplifies the impact force of a moving object. A simple, poorly positioned travel bag can become a mass weighing several hundred kilos, propelled through the passenger compartment.

When one or more passengers are sitting in the back of a car, their weight can act as a barrier. But when there is no one on the back seat, the impact of objects from the trunk thrown forward can travel through the passenger compartment and hit the front passenger seats. To avoid this, there is a solution: buckle your seat belts in the back before setting off, even when the seats are empty. Just like for a passenger, seat belts help hold objects in place and prevent them from being thrown forward.

While the Highway Code punishes failure to wear a seatbelt—with a fine of 135 euros and the loss of 3 points on your driving license—it does not require seatbelts to be fastened in unoccupied seats. However, given the danger posed by loading the trunk in the event of a collision, it might be wise to rethink our habits. Fastening a seatbelt only takes a few seconds; a simple click can prevent many tragedies.