A seatbelt story

In the days before compulsory seat belts (this thing happened in 1991), I bought a Maruti 800 with company loan, and then decided to get seat belts fitted as accessories (no AC, stereo, seat covers - I had proper priorities).

A friend said he had contacts with the manufacturer, and he was also interested, so he would get us both a 50% discount. This was when a car cost ₹1,00,000 and the seat belts cost ₹1,500 - each. So tempting! I agreed.

A month or two passed with reminders.

Then one evening, on Barakhamba Road in New Delhi, I took a left onto the main road and saw the traffic light releasing the flood behind me. So I accelerated up to the speed limit (then 60 kph) and then coasted merrily.

About 50-60 metres from Hailey Road, two buses turned onto the main road in front of me, turning onto the main road, probably seeing the clot of vehicles about 150 metres behind, and totally ignoring the "little matchbox" headed for a crash at 60 kph.

I clearly remember the two thoughts I had:

So this is how it happens, and you never thought it would happen to you.

This car is supposed to decelerate to a stop from 60 in 25 metres.

I applied full brakes. No horn, ok - I did not trust those drivers to save my life if I couldn't.

Wonders! Rainbows! The second bus driver saw me and stopped, creating a tiny gap.

I was still decelerating at perhaps 5 kph when I saw that gap, so I eased off the brakes and passed through that gap where the second bus would have been, at a measly 2 kph. Yes, since you ask, I would have managed to stop, with maybe half a metre to spare. Maybe. Advantages of having only one skinny person in the car that day. Had there been 4 people, no way it would have stopped in that distance. I think it was less than 25 metres, after all.

I had to pull over and stop on the side. I didn't stop shaking for 20 minutes.

Next morning, I called my friend and told him I wasn't waiting. I was paying ₹3,000 life insurance premium, and that would give me zero benefit. A seat belt was real life insurance. He was very apologetic and said, "Give me till evening." By evening, he confirmed delivery next morning at discounted rates.

Next day, I had seat belts installed.

Now, how to test whether they worked?? Finally worked it out (you can try this). Put the seatbelt on. Grab the belt near the shoulder point where it comes out smoothly. Jerk it forward sharply. If it locks tight within 5 cm, it works. If it doesn't, start panicking.

Some other day, I will tell you about the several instances where I have first-hand information about lives saved by seatbelts.

Cyrus died. Diana died. You please stay alive!!

5 Sep 2022

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