2-point seat belt? 3-point seat belt? What are those??! Why is it important for me to know?
Some might still not know what are the differences between these type of vehicle safety belt or seat belt. A 2-point belt attaches at its two end-points (as per picture). It is also commonly known as a lap belt, fitted mainly at the lower hip. This type of seat belt is most common in the middle rear passenger seat of older cars.
A 3-point seat belt is in a Y-shaped arrangement, containing a lap belt and a sash belt or diagonal belt together in one piece and is connected at 3 points. In a collision, the 3-point seat belt spreads out the energy of the moving body over the chest, pelvis, and shoulders. With wider area of coverage, risk of injuries can be reduced compared to if the impact force is only concentrated at a smaller portion of the body.
Volvo was the one who introduced the first production of three-point seat belt in 1959. In Malaysia, starting from 2015, all newly approved model of passenger vehicles should be fitted with 3-point seat belts in all its seats including the middle rear passenger seat.
It is important to understand the type of vehicle seat belt in your car as all UNECE approved child restraints will need to use a 3-point seat belt (for belt attachment). Always refer back to your vehicle owner’s manual and child restraint system manual for instructions on installation.
You will need to do periodic cleaning for the safety belt in your vehicle. This is to ensure it is functioning at its optimum. To clean it, simply follow these steps:
- Wipe the webbing with a damp cloth in an upward movement (following the thread). Avoid using strong detergent and bleaching agent as such caustic agents may weaken the tensile strength of the belt.
- Slowly pull out the webbing if necessary while wiping.
- Wipe dry the belt using microfiber towel and let it air dry. Ensure the seat belts are properly dried especially the webbing being reeled in the retractor to avoid mold growth.
Damaged belts cannot be repaired and should be replaced.
Child Passenger Safety Malaysia 
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