Seatbelt and airbag

Seatbelt and Airbag are the car’s most important passive safety systems. Together, they dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision.

Seatbelt Requirement in Norway

Everyone in the car must use a seatbelt. This applies to:

• Driver and front seat passenger
• Passengers in the back seat
• Children must be secured in an approved child seat suitable for weight and height

Violating the seatbelt requirement results in a simplified fine for those not wearing a seatbelt. The driver is responsible for ensuring that passengers under 15 years use a seatbelt.

Proper Seatbelt Use

The belt should be tight and without twists. Thick jackets can prevent the belt from lying close enough to the body, which reduces protection.

Airbag

The airbag is deployed in a severe collision and works together with the seatbelt. Without a belt, the airbag can cause injury instead of providing protection.

• Front airbag – protects the driver and front seat passenger
• Side airbag – protects the upper body in a side collision
• Curtain airbag – protects the head along the sides

The airbag warning light on the instrument panel should turn off shortly after starting. If it stays on, there is a system fault that must be corrected.

Children and Airbags

A rear-facing child seat should never be placed in front of an active front airbag. The airbag can inflict life-threatening injuries on the child. Deactivate the passenger airbag or place the child seat in the back seat.

Seatbelt at Low Speed

Even at low speeds, a collision can cause serious injuries. At 30 km/h, the forces are equivalent to a fall from the third floor. Always use a seatbelt, even on short trips.

Further Reading

• Passengers and child restraint about rules for children in cars
• Daily car checks including belt checks
• Driver assistance systems and technology about active safety systems
• Accidents, alerts and first aid on what to do in case of an accident