The seat belt reminder needs to ring longer

Seat belts save lives – there’s no arguing this. But what if the driver and passenger didn’t wear seat belts when the accident happened? That’s the mistake the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) aims to correct when it comes to seat belt reminders.

Out of a total of 26 models tested, only two received Good scores from the new IIHS assessment program and both from Subaru: Ascent 2022 and Forester 2021-2022.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Palisade and Tucson 2022, and the Nissan Murano 2021-2022, Pathfinder 2022, and Rogue 2021-2022 all receive Acceptable ratings. The remainder of the vehicles tested received Close and Poor ratings from the IIHS.

To be rated Good, the seat belt reminder system must include both a signal on the dashboard and a warning chime when the vehicle is traveling at speeds of at least 9.6 km/h. The system must also detect a person in the vehicle unbuckled in one of the seats in the first row, or a person in the second row who has just unbuckled.

In addition, the bell must be loud enough to drown out the noise from outside reverberating into the cabin. If a seat belt in the front row is removed, a warning signal must be displayed on the instrument panel and the buzzer rings continuously for at least 90 seconds. If a person in the second row has previously attached the belt but unfastened it, the system must prompt at least 30 seconds. When the driver starts the vehicle, there must also be a seat belt warning signal for the second row of seats.

Models that meet all front-row standards but lack the rear seats will only receive an Acceptable rating. Vehicles that do not meet part or all of the standards of the front row but have a bell to remind both the driver and front passenger with a time of at least 8 seconds or longer will be marked as Close. If the reminder bell is shorter than 8 seconds, a Bad score will be awarded even if other criteria are met.

America – England