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Why were car seat belts invented?

The three-point seat belt, the most common car safety device, was invented by Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959 while working for Volvo. Bohlin was inspired to improve car safety after witnessing a fatal car accident involving his cousin.

Bohlin's design for the three-point seat belt was patented in 1962 and became standard equipment in Volvo cars in 1963. Since then, the three-point seat belt has become one of the most important safety features in automobiles, and it is estimated to have saved over a million lives worldwide.

The three-point seat belt works by restraining the wearer's body in a collision, preventing them from being thrown from the vehicle or into the interior. The belt is designed to spread the force of the impact over the chest, pelvis, and shoulders, reducing the risk of serious injury.

In addition to saving lives, the three-point seat belt has also been shown to reduce the risk of serious injury by 50% in car accidents. It is also effective in preventing ejection from the vehicle, which is one of the leading causes of death in car crashes.

The three-point seat belt is a simple but effective safety device that has saved countless lives. It is a reminder of the importance of safety in automotive design and the continued need for improvements in car safety technology.