Florida Child Injury Law Blog

The world’s first rear-seat inflatable seat belts are being introduced by the Ford Motor Company.

Steve Rouhana, senior technical leader for safety at Ford, states that inflatable seat belts are a way to get benefits of air bags, but without the risks of swift forceful deployment.

In addition, Rouhana says it’s expected that the devices will provide more safety for children who can be more vulnerable in a crash. The seat belt will expand during an accident to cover more of a child’s torso, helping to reduce head, neck and chest injuries. In 2010, the inflatable seat belts will be offered as an option on the Ford Explorer, and added to other models later.

The inflatable seat belt’s thicker edge and padded feeling should also make it more comfortable in everyday use. The automaker hopes this will help increase the use of rear seat belts. Today, only 61 percent of rear seat passengers buckle up, compared with 82 percent of front seat passengers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Dodson Law Firm urges all drivers and passengers, young and old to wear seat belts for their protection and for the protection of those they love.