The recent near-fatal auto accident involving supermodel Niki Taylor has prompted seatbelt advocates to reemphasize the importance of lap belt use in cars equipped with automatic seatbelt systems. Taylor was almost killed in an accident involving a 1993 Nissan fitted with automatic restraints because she failed to wear her lap belt. The lap belt must be buckled manually on many automatic seatbelt systems.

A recent government report found that the likelihood of major liver or spleen injury increased 22 times when passengers failed to fasten lap belts. It is estimated that over 10 million cars are equipped with automatic seat belt systems which require manual lap belt activation.