2001 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 121

Seating and safety restraints The purpose of the Belt Minder is to remind occasional wearers to wear safety belts all of the time. The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts: (All statistics based on U.S. data) Reasons given...Crashes are rare events" Consider...36 700 crashes occur every day. The more we drive, the more we are exposed to rare" events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us will be seriously injured in a crash during our lifetimes. 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Ford designs its safety belts to enhance comfort. If you are uncomfortable Ć try different positions for the safety belt upper anchorage and seatback which should be as upright as possible; this can improve comfort. Prime time for an accident. Belt Minder reminds us to take a few seconds to buckle up. Safety belts, when used properly, reduce risk of death to front seat occupants by 45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks. Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in singleĆvehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. I'm not going far" Belts are uncomfortable" I was in a hurry" Seat belts don't work" Traffic is light"