Overview
- ADAC Hessen‑Thüringen cautions that seatbelts must lie tightly on the body, as thick padding lets the webbing shift and load the abdomen.
- Crash tests reported in the national press show that impacts around 16–20 km/h can cause serious internal injuries when occupants wear padded jackets.
- The Auto Club Europa warns that jackets in infant carriers and child seats prevent correct belt routing, increasing forward movement and crash forces.
- ADAC advises removing outerwear before buckling, fastening children without jackets, then using a blanket or placing the jacket over them for warmth.
- Experts flag added risks from hats, long scarves, padded gloves, and bulky boots that can restrict vision, weaken steering grip, or dull pedal control, with possible insurance complications after a crash.