Fig. 31 An unbelted driver is thrown forward.
Fig. 32 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forward and strikes the belted driver.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
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Introduction
Many people believe that the occupants can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision.
This is not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that it is not possible to
brace yourself with your arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not
fastened their seat belts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of the
vehicle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen
⇒
Fig. 31 .
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. Airbags provide only additional protection
when deployed. Airbags will not be triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped
with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat belt and
wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This will reduce the risk of severe or fatal injuries in
the event of an accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
An airbag can be triggered only once. To achieve the best possible protection, the seat belt must
always be worn properly so that you will be protected in accidents in which no airbag is deployed.
Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more
severe or even fatal injuries as a result.
It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise
be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear seat passengers who are not wearing seat belts
endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle
⇒
Fig. 32 .
