A Review of Seatbelt Technologies and Their Role in Vehicle Safety

Seatbelts are critical components of vehicle safety, continuously evolving through technological advancements and regulatory updates. Traditionally designed to secure occupants during collisions, seatbelt innovations, such as retractors, pretensioners, and load limiters, have significantly enhanced comfort and effectiveness. With the advent of autonomous vehicles, seatbelt systems must adapt to new safety challenges, including real-time tension adjustment through active seatbelt systems. These systems, integrated with active safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, offer a more comprehensive safety solution. Furthermore, seatbelt technology must address the diverse needs of different passenger categories. Quantitative data highlight the role of seatbelts for various passenger categories. Children are 55% more likely to be injured by rear structure intrusion and 27% more likely to suffer from compression into the front seat during rear impacts. Pregnant women generally experience milder injuries but are more prone to abdominal injuries. Older adults, who account for 17% of crash fatalities, are more likely to suffer thoracic injuries and fractures due to increased bone fragility. This review explores the integration of traditional and modern seatbelt systems, focusing on passenger-specific adaptations and the future role of seatbelts in autonomous vehicles. This study is based on a thorough literature review, analyzing data from the Web of Science, Scopus, and SAE databases, where available, to assess the contributions and impact of these innovations.