Transit belts up the MI.
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• All 12 and 15-seater Ford Transit models are to be fitted with upgraded seatbelts which meet passenger car (M1) legal requirements.
Ford claims this will make the Transit the only 12/15-seater minibuses to reach these standards: vehicles with 10 seats or more are only required to meet the less stringent M2 tests.
Under the M1 standard the seat belts are tested to perform under a mean deceleration of 20G – twice the amount demanded by the M2 test. Head impact protection against possible secondary impacts in severe accidents is also included in the M1 tests.
Transit minibuses include a number of safety items. Anti submarine ramps in all seats help to prevent seat occupants sliding under the seat belt in an impact; three-point seat-belts are fitted on all seats with the latest car technology webbing clamps and grabbers to help prevent the webbing from spooling out in an impact.
Seat belts are fixed to the body sides and rigid seat structures help to minimise seat and seat belt anchorage movement. Energy absorbing upper seat structures and belt upper mounting towers are designed to reduce the effect of secondary head impacts.
Optional equipment includes a comprehensive safety pack, ABS and driver and passenger airbags.