2000 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 13

Safety Correct position for safety belt • The lap portion of the belt should be pulled as tightly as comfortable and as low as possible across the hips, so that it is just touching the top of the thighs. The shoulder belt should be well in on the shoulder but not touching the neck. 13 WARNING Proper positioning of the safety belt is extremely important. An out of position safety belt can result in the wearer sliding underneath the belt in a collision (submarining) and injury can result from the lap portion cutting into the abdomen. • Check to ensure that the belt is not twisted or rubbing against any sharp edges. • There should not be any slack in the belt. Pull the belt tight - particularly important when thick outer clothing is worn. IB410 • For most of the time a safety belt is worn, the retractor will allow the wearer freedom of movement. The retractor locks up automatically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are applied hard or a collision occurs. • Children who have grown out of a child seat should be restrained by the car's standard three-point belts. Make sure that the shoulder belt is not in contact with the neck or throat. If it is, a booster seat/cushion may be necessary. Correctly positioned safety belt • Refrain from tilting the backrest more than necessary, as the safety belt provides better protection when the seat is in the more upright position. • Only one person per safety belt! WARNING Never fasten the safety belt with the shoulder belt behind the body or pull the belt off the shoulder and under the arm. WARNING If two people share a belt, they risk injury by being crushed together in the event of an accident.