1993 Buick Park Avenue Owner's Manual - Page 26

Here Are Questions ManyPeople Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers @ Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I'm wearing a safety belt? You could be -- whether you're wearing a safety belt or not. But you can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even if you're upside down. And your chance of being conscious duringand after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out,is much greater if you are belted. Why don'tthey just put in air bags so people won't have to wear safety belts? A: safety belts, not instead of them. Every "air bag" system ever offered for salehas required the use of safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has " air bags," you still have to buckleup to get the most protection. That's true notonly in frontal collisions, but especially in side other and collisions. &: A: If I'm a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? You may be an excellent driver, but if you're in an accident -- even one that isn't your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn't protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. A: "Air bags," or Supplemental Inflatable Restraint systems, arein some vehicles today and will be in more of them in thefuture. But they are supplemental systems only -- so they work with Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speedsof less than 40 mph (65 kmh). Safety belts are for everyone.