Abstract: Safety apparatus for restraining a seated occupant in a vehicle may comprise a tunnel-shaped body to restrain the lower torso of a large child or an adult, the body providing a base on which a movable chest-restraining panel is pivotally mounted. In the case of a small child, the lower torso restraining means includes an additional seat providing a base, for example, with a separate fixed panel and/or side portions, on which the chest restraining panel is pivotally mounted. The straps at each side of the occupant's body anchor the lower torso restraining means to the vehicle while enabling limited inertial movement relative to the vehicle seat. If the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the occupant's inertia moves the lower torso restraining means away from the seat until the straps are tensioned and act on lever means to pivot the chest restraining panel into its operative position. Either the lever means, or other locking means, may act as a stop to prevent return movement of the chest restraining panel.