1996 Buick Park Avenue Owner's Manual - Page 22

Here Are Questions Many People Ask Q: About Safety Belts-- and the Answers Won't I be trapped in the vehicle afteran accident if I'm wearing a safety belt? 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, butif you're in an accident -- even one that isn't your fault you -and your passengers can hurt. Being a good be driver doesn't protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 b h . / ) Safety belts are foreveryone. A: A: You could be -- whether you're wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle safety belt, a even if you're upside down. And yourchance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. If my vehicle has Q: wear safety belts?air bags, why shouldI have to A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But theyare supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still haveto buckle up to get the most protection. That's truenot only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. 1-10