The three-point seat belt, introduced by Volvo in the 1950s, still ranks as the single most important automotive safety advancement ever made. They're now required even in the back seats of cars. But even while saving your life, they can cause injuries to your ribcage.
Back-seat riders don't have airbags to help soften the snap of the seat belt. But airbags within the seat belt itself can help soften and spread out the impact.
This is one safety technology that will hit the road sooner rather than later. Ford Motor Co. will offer rear seat belts like those on the Mercedes concept car on its all-new 2011 Ford Explorer, which will be unveiled later this year. Mercedes-Benz expects to have it on its cars within the next five years.
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