Cars of today are a lot safer than the cars from previous generations, what with a lot of new safety equipment being introduced practically every year. We now have supplemental restraint systems (a.k.a. airbags), anti-lock braking systems, stability control and other high tech gizmos car makers decide to put into their vehicles to help keep us safe in case of an accident.

However, one of the most overlooked safety equipment in cars is also one of the most effective. For years, people have been told to buckle up their seat belts, and they probably should. The wearing of seat belts is a law in most countries, and as well it should be.

Research and experiments with cadavers and crash test dummies show that seat belts greatly reduce the chances of injuries and fatalities in many car crashes. In a lot of cases, seat belts have kept occupants in their seats even in extremely strong crashes.

The most common type of seatbelt seen in most passenger cars today is the 3-point seatbelt, which goes over the passenger’s shoulder, across the torso, and then across the lap. Seatbelts may give your clothes wrinkles, but are a few creases on your shirt really worth your life? I didn’t think so.