Why Wear Seat Belts
Wearing seat belts, and wearing them properly, is fundamental to your
safety and the safety of your passengers.
During a crash or emergency stop, seat belts can help keep you from
being thrown against the inside of the car, against other occupants, or out
of the car.
Of course, seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash. But.
in most cases, seat belts reduce your chance of serious injury. They can
even save your life. That is why many states and all Canadian provinces
require you to wear seat belts.
Not wearing a seat belt increases the chance of being killed or
seriously hurt in a crash.
Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear
them properly.
Important Safety Reminders
Seat belts are designed for adults and larger children. All infants and
small children must be properly restrained in child safety seats (see page
31
).
A pregnant woman needs to wear a seat belt to protect herself and her
unborn child (see page
23
).
Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Do not place the shoulder portion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm
or behind your back. This could increase the chance of serious injuries
in a crash.
Do not put shoulder belt pads or other accessories on seat belts. They
can reduce the effectiveness of the belts and increase the chance of
injury.
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
