Researchers at MAE's Center for Applied Biomechanics (CAB) are designing a new seat belt that will protect 110 million more Americans. Current seat belts are designed to limit injury for people with an “average†weight and height, with minimal belly fat. The force from a current seat belt is intended to engage with the pelvis, but thicker abdominal fat changes how that force is applied to the body. This research, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is focused on updating seat belt technology so that the belt can detect the mass of a passenger and adjust the amount of force necessary to restrain them safely in the event of a car accident. Read more at NBC 29Researchers at UVA Attempting to Improve Seat Belts