Safety System
3-14
SEAT BELTS
This section describes how to use the
seat belts properly. It also describes
some of the things to avoid when using
seat belts.
Seat Belt Safety Precautions
Always fasten your seat belt and make
sure all passengers have fastened their
seat belts before starting any trip. Air
bags are designed to supplement the
seat belt as an additional safety device,
but they are not a substitute. Most states
require all occupants of a vehicle to wear
seat belts.
WARNING
Seat belts must be used by ALL
passengers whenever the vehicle is
moving. Take the following precautions
when adjusting and wearing seat belts:
•
ALWAYS properly restrain children
under age 13 in the rear seats.
•
NEVER allow children to ride in the
front passenger seat. If a child age 13
or older must be seated in the front
seat, move the seat as far back as
possible and properly restrain them
in the seat.
•
NEVER allow an infant or child to be
carried on an occupant’s lap.
•
NEVER ride with the seatback
reclined when the vehicle is moving.
•
Do not allow children to share a seat
or seat belt.
•
Do not wear the shoulder belt under
your arm or behind your back.
•
Always wear both the shoulder
portion and lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt.
•
Do not use the seat belt if it is
twisted. A twisted seat belt will not
protect you properly in an accident.
•
Do not use a seat belt if the webbing
or hardware is damaged.
•
Do not latch the seat belt into the
buckles of other seats.
•
NEVER unfasten the seat belt
while driving. This may cause loss
of vehicle control resulting in an
accident.
•
Make sure there is nothing in the
buckle interfering with the seat belt
latch mechanism. This may prevent
the seat belt from fastening securely.
•
No modifications or additions
should be made by the user which
will either prevent the seat belt
adjusting devices from operating to
remove slack, or prevent the seat
belt assembly from being adjusted to
remove slack.
WARNING
Damaged seat belts and seat belt
assemblies will not operate properly.
Always replace:
•
Frayed, contaminated, or damaged
webbing
•
Damaged hardware
•
The entire seat belt assembly after it
has been worn in an accident, even
if damage to webbing or assembly is
not apparent