Question on baby safety

[George Harris]

Someone wrote:

 >>What I've never quite understood was the emphasis on getting the seat
 >>as tightly belted in as possible...everything I learned in physics
 >>contradicts that advice.

I would like to hear about the laws of physics that suggest a loose belt 
would be safer than a tight one. My understanding is that if the belt is 
snug, then it holds the occupant in his/her place and slows them down at 
the same rate as the 'passenger compartment' of the automobile while the 
crush zone absorbs the impact energy. If the belt is loose, then the 
occupant will fly through the air until all the slack is taken up, then 
they will snap to a quick stop. I prefer my belt snug for another reason 
as well: if (for me red when :-) you ever get in an emergency situation 
and you would otherwise be thrown around in the passenger compartment, a 
snug belt helps keep you in your place and in relatively greater control 
of the car.

Cheers
George