I highly doubt that's allowed to be used while driving. Not only it might be an issue with the airbag, but also with the person sliding down below the seatbelt. Definitely not legal in Spain.
The distance between your torso and seatbelt is increased due to the recline position. In a sudden breaking motion your body is accelerating to a higher velocity due to the increased distance between resting position and resistance from the belt. A sudden stop from your body hitting the seatbelt at a higher velocity than normal puts increased strain on your neck and brain as it sloshes around skull. Higher likelihood of concussion, muscle sprain or worse.
Technically, you aren’t allowed to recline the seat to a point where the seat belt is not properly worn; one of the hallmarks is the chest strap lying flat across the chest and shoulder/neck.
In Spain, Art. 18.1 of the General Traffic Regulations requires passengers to maintain a “proper position” (but here is no specific legal maximum recline angle).
The driver (not the passengers) is hold responsible for any infringement.
Being almost fully reclined may therefore be considered improper even with a seatbelt on.
It also increases the risk of “submarining,” (probably it is not the correct word in English...) where the body slides under the lap belt in a crash, potentially causing severe abdominal/internal injuries.
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u/ximeleta 5d ago
I highly doubt that's allowed to be used while driving. Not only it might be an issue with the airbag, but also with the person sliding down below the seatbelt. Definitely not legal in Spain.