The German car manufacturer Opel took car safety seriously 50 years ago. To be exact, in 1973, when seat belts became a standard element in the company’s entire range of cars. In addition, this happened three years before the installation of seat belts was enshrined in law and clearly demonstrates Opel’s desire to be a leading manufacturer in the field of car safety.
In fact, the first seat belts in Opel cars appeared earlier, when they could be ordered by customers of Opel Kadett, Admiral, Diplomat and other models, but the manufacturer was able to strategically position itself as a car safety standard setter.
With the launch of the electric Astra, Opel’s focus on safety has entered a new phase. The Astra Electric, for example, has an adaptive seat belt tensioner system, whose sensors detect the severity of the collision and adjust the belt tension for optimal protection during a crash.
“The seat belt is still the most important lifesaver in the car,” says Peter Šisler, Head of Passive Safety Systems at Opel, unequivocally. To support his claim, he cites data that more than half of those who survive accidents owe their lives to the use of seat belts.
Resistance of the motoring public to seat belts
Initially, the new life-saving initiative was hampered by community resistance. When seat belts became an integral part of cars in 1976, a large number of motorists simply refused to wear them in protest. Due to misconceptions, the new driver and passenger safety feature was perceived as a burden.
Although the public was initially quite reserved about the use of seat belts, their effectiveness was proven by the overall improvement of the safety situation, namely a reduction in the number of road deaths. The perceived facts quickly silenced any criticism and firmly established the indisputable role of seat belts in driving safety.
As the importance of seat belts increased and resistance decreased, Opel continued to revolutionize its safety systems. In 1986, the company created the world’s first car, which already had height-adjustable safety belts in both the front seats and the back in the basic version. It was an Opel Omega.
In 1991, the Astra F series model debuted with pre-tensioner seat belts, soon followed by airbags and active safety systems such as anti-lock braking system and electronic stability program. These innovations significantly reduced the risk of injury, further highlighting the importance of seat belts in safety measures.
From the 2000s to today and beyond: the innovation continues
At the dawn of the new millennium, seat belt tension limiters were introduced in Opel cars. These specialized systems helped to reduce peak loads during collisions, thus providing additional safety and comfort for passengers.
Along with these safety features, Opel also introduced the collapsible steering column. It is designed to flex and retract slightly in the event of an impact and, combined with seat belts and airbags, reduces the risk of serious injury.
So far, the most advanced innovation is the seat belt ABS, or anti-lock braking system. It is one of the main elements of the safety equipment of the new Opel Astra Electric and, like the brake ABS, electronically controls the traction force of the belt during a collision.
An invaluable contribution to the development of the most advanced seat belts was made by THOR – the most advanced crash test dummy prototype equipped with more than 120 sensors. Using this high-tech mannequin, researchers obtain very precise data on the impact of a collision on the human body and can adjust the car’s safety systems accordingly.
Challenges Ahead: Autonomous Driving
Looking to the future, Opel has already started preparing for the impact of automated driving on car safety, and also takes into account that from 2026, safety requirements will also take into account the specifics of the body structure of the elderly. Most of all, it concerns the structure of the bones and the ability to absorb strong shocks.
Since in the cars of the future passengers will be able to sit facing each other or even recline during the journey, Opel engineers are considering the possibility of integrating seat belts directly into the seats.
Over the past five decades, Opel has pioneered seat belts and made significant contributions to automotive safety, and remains steadfast in its commitment to passenger safety. As Opel works in line with its future strategy, there is reason to believe that the brand will continue to spare no time or effort to save lives.
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2023-08-24 07:37:53
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