1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 20

Here Are Questions Many PeopleAsk @ About Safety Belts-- and the Answers A: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an 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? A: You could be -- whether you're wearinga safety belt or not. But youcan unbuckle a safety belt, even if you're upside down. And your chance of being consciousduring and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? You may be anexcellent driver, butif you're in an accident -- even one that isn't your fault -- you and your paskengerscan be hurt. Being good driver a doesn't protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within miles (40 km) of 25 home. And the greatest numberof serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 b b ) . Safety belts are everyone. for Qi' A: Air bags are in many vehicles today andwill be in most of them inthe future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them. Everyair bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Evenif you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to getthe most protection. That's true not only frontal collisions, in but especially in side and other collisions.