CG-Lock... as used in Top Gear Live!

Resident Columnists

Top of GR's most wanted list is the CG-Lock, a seatbelt stabiliser, which the manufacturer claims enhances safety and improves posture when fitted to the standard three-point seatbelt system.

A recent survey carried out by the top UK back-care retailer, BackInAction, found that 90% of Osteopaths using a simple seat belt add-on believed it would reduce back ache and nearly 70% thought it would improve safety in an accident which leads to the child safety aspect.

Each year many thousands of children are injured or killed in the EU due to vehicle accidents. The regulations state that children up to 135cms in height must use the appropriate child booster seat or cushion when travelling in any car, van or goods vehicle - there are very few exceptions. RoSPA state that with booster seats:

* the belt should be worn as tight as possible with no slack
* the lap belt should go over the pelvic region (from hip-bone to hip-bone), not the stomach
* the diagonal strap should rest over the shoulder, not the neck

Evidence is mounting from customers on just how much more secure their child is in their booster seat (or booster cushion) is when the CG-Lock is used. When a regular seatbelt is used to secure a child in a booster seat, the child seat can slide, tip, or rock even during normal cornering and braking. This movement poses proven risk to the child. Indeed, looking at the RoSPA guidance above,

* it is not possible to keep the slack out of the lap belt without the CG-Lock.
* It is not possible to keep the lap belt from riding up over the stomach (during normal driving) without using a CG-Lock
* Although devices exist to keep the seatbelt diagonal from resting on the neck, by using the CG-Lock, the child tends to sit more upright, so has several extra inches height to 'clear' the diagonal strap from the neck.

The device

"If you are on track without a full harness, the CG-Lock is a must have" Anthony Dunn, Professional ARDS Level A driving instructor"

The CG-Lock, has a recommended retail price of £49.99 per unit (including VAT, shipping and handling) but see Girlracer reader offer below! It can be fitted in just a few minutes to existing inertia reel seatbelts. With the CG-Lock fitted, when the slack is removed from the lapbelt it does not return, keeping the occupant in the safest and healthiest position, the lapbelt remaining over the hip bone and not ‘riding up' over the stomach as usually happens. The road safety charity BRAKE recently acknowledged the safety benefits by giving it a ‘highly commended' rating.

With the demands of drivers ever increasing along with the performance of cars improving year on year, it's a good job that 50 years after its introduction the seatbelt is getting even safer. See more at www.cg-lock.co.uk

Instructions

The CG-Lock simply clips onto the existing seatbelt. It takes less than 5 minutes to install (see 2 minute video below).

Readers Discount Offer£13 off retail price for Girlracer Readers! Simply order on line at www.cg-lock.co.uk using discount code GIRLRACER or call 08701 245 625 to order your CG-Lock quoting GIRLRACER as the discount code to get your £13 off RRP! Or simply click the banner to order online now!