1998 Chevrolet Prizm Owner's Manual - Page 26

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts-- and the Answers @' Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident ifI'm wearing a safety belt? @' If I'm a good driver, and I never drive from far home, why should I wear safety belts? You may be an excellent driver, butif you're in an accident -- even one that isn't yourfault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good from things beyond driver doesn't protect you your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 k ) m of home. And the greatest number ofserious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety beltsare for everyone. A: A: You cuuld 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 anaccident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in future. But they are the supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead ofthem. Every air bag system ever offered for salehas required the use of safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have buckle up to get the most to protection. That's true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. @ A: 1-12 ~