How automatic seatbelts emerged—and faded from cars

Volvo initially offered seatbelts as an option, but demand was weak and some automakers resisted them. Consumers also objected to having to buckle up, even as car crashes remained widespread. Four-point harnesses were described as available in European road cars, while roll cages were treated as a more extreme option.

Automatic seatbelts became a feature of some cars, including Saturn models, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A section mounted on a mechanical track moved into position after the door closed; Ferrari used a mechanism that handed the belt to the driver. The approach was viewed as a half-measure and ultimately failed to become either common or a premium feature, apparently because it was inconvenient.

The assessment that seatbelts did not produce a dramatic reduction in road deaths and injuries was presented as uncertain: faster driving may have offset some of the safety gains. The same assessment said seatbelts likely improved travel efficiency by allowing longer commutes and reducing time spent in the car for the same distance.