ABSTRACT
Most vehicles have the capability to recline the front seats to near horizontal, but not completely flat, level. In such a reclined state, the efficacy of the seat belt system is reduced, and may result in some kinds of injuries being worse. In short, in moving vehicles, a reclined seat is hazardous. Vehicle manufacturers provide the reclining seat feature because people want it. Some vehicles use purely mechanical methods of engaging the recline feature. In vehicle restraint systems, seat belts provide less protection the further the seat is reclined. In the event of a crash, particularly in frontal collisions, there is increased likelihood of sliding under the seatbelt system. The purpose of guarding is to prevent people encountering the hazard. Again, the hazard in this situation is the vehicle occupant being in a reclined position in a crash. As a method of hazard control, warnings are used when hazards are not eliminated or controlled by alternative designs or guarding.
