In the cold season, some people get into their cars for short journeys in their winter jackets. The ADAC recommends not to do this every winter. Why driving a car with a winter jacket can be dangerous, especially for children and drivers, and why you should always take off your thick jackets.
Of course we dress our children and babies nice and warm in winter. After all, it takes time for the heater to warm up the car in winter. You’re glad for the down jacket, which makes the falling temperatures a little more bearable. Some parents leave their child’s winter jacket on for short journeys. After all, it is inconvenient to peel the toddler out of the thick quilted suit each time.
But this can be dangerous! The ADAC expressly warns again this winter: do not drive with a thick jacket – no matter if children or drivers.
Crash test shows: driving with winter clothing can be so dangerous
In a crash test, the ADAC recreates everyday situations, for example a drive to the daycare center or through the city. A child dummy wearing a winter jacket is sitting on a sled with a seatbelt. Because there is a lot of traffic, the car is quite slow- maybe 15 or 16 km/h. And then everything happens very quickly: the driver has to brake abruptly.
The dummy in the child seat is thrown forward because the belt does not provide enough support. At the same time, the safety belt cuts deeply into the dummy’s abdominal cavity because it does not fit tightly enough against the body due to the thick jacket. Severe injuries to the liver, intestines or spleen can be the result.
Winter clothing prevents the seat belt from protecting us on impact
Even emergency braking can lead to minor injuries in the abdominal area, as the ADAC makes clear. The reason: with padded winter clothing the belt has too much clearance to the body and lies above the lower abdominal area.
Ideally, however, the safety belt should fit snugly around the hips of adults or children. Strapping the thighs with children. All in all, the belt sits much too loosely because of the padded jacket, even if it was tightened before the ride.
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If the child sits in the child seat without his anorak, the difference is clearly visible- as the second crash test in the video shows. The belt does not have as much slack and rests directly on the child. The little passenger sits more securely and there is less danger of the safety belt cutting in.
Blanket instead of winter jacket in the car
The ADAC therefore recommends parents to fasten children without thick winter clothing. A blanket can help against the cold, which can be put over the lap after strapping in of the child is placed. And adults should also either take off their winter jackets before driving or lift up or open their anoraks when buckling up to run the belt underneath them.
ÜBrigens
For drivers, other winter accessories can also be dangerous:
- Caps, scarves and can impair visibility
- With lined gloves you don’t always have enough grip on the steering wheel.
- Thick winter shoes may make pedaling difficult. They are not forbidden, because there is no rule for proper footwear at the wheel. (this also applies to high heels, thong sandals&) co!) but: the driver must always be able to react appropriately. If an accident occurs, there may be problems with the insurance company.
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