An inflatable seat belt is a passive restraint strap in a car enhanced with internal airbags. The airbags inflate during a crash, helping to distribute forces from the crash across the torso, reducing the risk of injury to the occupant. Ford Motor Co. developed the inflatable seat belt to improve occupant safety. Two small airbags were inserted into the seat belts.
The design initially made seat belts safer than previous versions. After engineers developed the inflatable belt, technology improved through pretensioners and load limiters. The pretensioner tightened the seat belt during a crash, holding the person in place. The load limiter allowed some release to prevent shoulder, neck, and ribcage injuries from the belt.
However, the new setup was used primarily in front seat belt systems while rear seat belts remained unchanged. Many Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles between model years 2011 and 2020, as well as the 2013-2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2012 Lexus LFA supercar, used inflatable seat belts in their rear seat belt systems.
A 2019 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed the lack of pretensioners and load limiters in rear seat belt systems, which were not required by federal law. Automakers began bowing to public pressure to install the safer — and more expensive — belts used in front seats.
Inflatable seat belts are safe but may not be compatible with child safety seats due to their thickness. Ford officials noted that when they introduced inflatable belts, they were compatible with child safety seats. Officials said they tested inflatable seat belts with every type of car seat available. Owners should check with their child safety seat manufacturers if their vehicle uses inflatable seat belts.
See also: What Is Cruise Control? What Is Self-Driving?
