2001 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 124

Seating and safety restraints The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts: (All statistics based on U.S. data) Reasons given...ЉCrashes are rare eventsЉ Consider...36 700 crashes occur every day. The more we drive, the more we are exposed to ЉrareЉ events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us will be seriously injured in a crash during our lifetime. 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Ford designs its safety belts to enhance comfort. If you are uncomfortable - 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 single-vehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. Possibly, but a serious crash can do much more than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you are unbelted. Set the example, teen deaths occur 4 times more often in vehicles with TWO or MORE people. Children and younger brothers/sisters imitate behavior they see. ЉI'm not going farЉ ЉBelts are uncomfortableЉ ЉI was in a hurryЉ ЉSeat belts don't workЉ ЉTraffic is lightЉ ЉBelts wrinkle my clothesЉ ЉThe people I'm with don't wear beltsЉ 124