kolmiopistevyö

The kolmiopistevyö, or three-point seat belt, is a safety device found in most modern vehicles. It was invented by Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin for Volvo in 1959. The design features a strap that goes across the occupant's lap and another strap that goes diagonally across the chest and shoulder. These two straps converge at a single buckle, hence the name "three-point".

The primary function of the kolmiopistevyö is to restrain occupants during a collision or sudden braking. By distributing the force of impact across the stronger parts of the body – the pelvis and chest – it significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death. The design is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives since its introduction.

Early seat belts were often simple lap belts, which could cause severe internal injuries in a crash. Bohlin's innovation of adding the diagonal strap was a major advancement in automotive safety. Volvo made the patent for the three-point seat belt freely available to other car manufacturers, a move that greatly accelerated its adoption worldwide.

The kolmiopistevyö is now a mandatory safety feature in most countries. Its effectiveness is well-documented, and it remains one of the most important safety devices in any vehicle. Despite the development of more advanced restraint systems, the three-point seat belt continues to be a cornerstone of occupant protection.