Mercedes-Benz 2009 R-Class, Operator'S Manual

Page: 62 / 412

Occupant safety
60
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury
or death is lessened if you are properly
wearing your seat belt. The air bags can
only protect as intended if the occupants
are properly wearing their seat belts.
G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front
seating position. Thus, we strongly
recommend that children be placed in the
rear seats whenever possible. Regardless
of seating position, children 12 years old
and under must be seated and properly
secured in an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see
“Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.
G
Warning!
Vehicles with BabySmart
TM
air bag
deactivation system, Canada only: Children
12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child
seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM
system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the front passenger
front air bag when it is installed properly.
Otherwise they will be struck by the air bag
when it inflates in a crash. If this happens,
serious or fatal injury will result.
G
Warning!
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are seat belts available. Make
sure everyone riding in the vehicle is
correctly restrained with a separate seat
belt. Never use a seat belt for more than
one person at a time.
G
Warning!
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The seat
backrest and seat belt provide the best
restraint when the wearer is in a position
that is as upright as possible and the seat
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Safety and security