Hi My seatbelt tightens up if I move even slightly. When I come to a stop and try to look out the window, It retracts so firmly I can't move. Today I went through a pothole (everywhere in MA) and it tightened up so hard I couldn't move. I had to quickly release it in order to continue driving. I have owned the car since it was brand new, and I believe this problem is increasing, but the potholes in MA are definitely increasing My seventeen year old car enthusiast son, says this is what it is supposed to do. But really, can this be right. I'm truly afraid I will die in an accident. I have been driving for 30 years, and have never had this problem. I am of average height and an neither extremely thin, not overweight, So I do not think it is my body shape that is causing this problem.
Is there some mechanism that needs to fixed?
Could my son be right?
If he is right is there a way to make the seatbelt less tight, because this is ridiculous?

 

That is what its supposed to do. To an extent. The seatbelts do lock up and if for a sudden movement (in an accident or quickly moving forward in your seat) it will lock up. Now does it do this all the time? I know my seatbelt has a tendency to do this every now and again but usually its because either I've slammed on the brake or moved too quickly forward. Do you always have to unfasten the seatbelt and re fasten it everytime it does this?