Video lessons · Unit 11: Alcohol and safety

Seat Belts and Car Seats

Seat belt behind your back? And the kid up front? Grandpa explains it in one minute.

What you'll learn

• Everyone wears a seat belt, always. The shoulder strap goes across your shoulder and chest, snug. Never behind your back or under your arm.
• The lap belt goes low and snug across your hips. And you, at least ten inches from the steering wheel: the air bag comes out like a cannon.
• Kids under eight, or shorter than four feet nine inches? In the back, in a car seat. And kids under two ride rear facing.

Test yourself: 5 exam-style questions

1. 1. Who must wear a seat belt?

   1. Only on highways, at high speeds
   2. Only kids
   3. Only the driver
   4. The driver and all passengers
   Show answer

   Answer: The driver and all passengers

   Everybody. Always. Even Grandpa.

2. 2. Where should the shoulder strap of your seat belt go?

   1. Tight up against your neck
   2. Over your shoulder and across your chest
   3. Behind your back, if it bothers you
   4. Under your arm, so it's more comfortable
   Show answer

   Answer: Over your shoulder and across your chest

   Behind your back, it does nothing in a crash. Shoulder and chest, kiddo.

3. 3. The lower part of the seat belt (the lap belt) should be…

   1. Low and snug, across your hips
   2. Above your waist, over your ribs
   3. Over your stomach, at your belly button
   4. Loose, so you can move around
   Show answer

   Answer: Low and snug, across your hips

   Your hips can take the force; your belly can't. Keep it low and snug.

4. 4. How should a pregnant woman wear her seat belt?

   1. Only the shoulder strap, no lap belt
   2. She doesn't, pregnancy makes her exempt
   3. Across the belly, pulled tight
   4. Lap belt below the belly, across the hips
   Show answer

   Answer: Lap belt below the belly, across the hips

   Lap belt under the belly, shoulder strap between the breasts. It protects both of them.

5. 5. In many states, a child should ride in a booster seat until…

   1. They turn 5, no matter how tall they are
   2. They can buckle the seat belt on their own
   3. They're too embarrassed to keep using it
   4. The belt fits right, at about 57 inches tall
   Show answer

   Answer: The belt fits right, at about 57 inches tall

   That's about 4 feet 9 inches. The exact rules vary by state; check your handbook.