2003 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 58

Safety and Security Occupant safety Head-thorax airbags The head-thorax airbags are deployed: on the impacted side of the vehicle in impacts exceeding a preset deployment threshold independently of the front airbags The head-thorax airbags are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system's deployment threshold. The passenger head-thorax airbag will only deploy if the system senses that the passenger seat is occupied. Seat belts The use of seat belts and infant and child restraint systems is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and all Canadian provinces. Even where this is not the case, all vehicle occupants should have their seat belts fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion. Information on fastening seat belts is found in the "Getting started" section ( page 37). Warning! G Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained, even pregnant women. Failure to wear and properly fasten and position your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passenger should always wear seat belts. If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are properly wearing your seat belt. Airbags can only protect as they are designed if the occupants are properly wearing their seat belts ( page 53). i For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint systems for infants and children, see Children in the vehicle ( page 62). 1 Head-thorax airbag 58