2008 Dodge Avenger Owner's Manual - Page 44

42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver and cause a collision that includes you. This can happen far away from home or on your own street. Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision. Some of the worst injuries happen when people are thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle should be belted at all times. LAP/SHOULDER BELTS All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with Lap/Shoulder Belts. The belt webbing retractor will lock only during very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the shoulder part of the belt to move freely with you under normal conditions. But in a collision, the belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the inside of the vehicle or being thrown out. WARNING! • Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt properly. • It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. • Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat belts are designed to go around the large bones of your body. These are the strongest parts of your body and can take the forces of a collision the best.