1997 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 27

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: A: If I'm a good driver, andI never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? You may be an excellent driver, but ifyou're in an accident -- even one that isn't your fault you and -your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn't protect you from things beyond your control, suchas bad drivers. Most accidents occur within miles (40 k ) home. 25 m of And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speedsof less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. Q: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident ifI'm wearing a safety belt? A: You could be -- whether you're wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you're upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, ismuch greater if you are belted. Q: A: If my vehicle has air bags, should I have to why wear safety belts? Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them inthe future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered sale has required theuse for of safety belts. Even if you're a vehicle that has in air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That's true not only frontal collisions, in but especially in side and other collisions.