1996 Oldsmobile Aurora Owner's Manual - Page 18

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts-- and the Answers Q: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle afteran accident if I'm wearing a safety belt? Q: If I'm a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why shouldI wear safety belts? You may be an excellent driver, but if you'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 youfrom things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatestnumber of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than40 mph (65 h h ) . Safety belts are for everyone. A: 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 anaccident, so you can unbuckle and getout, is much greater if you are belted. @ If my vehicle hasair bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them.Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the useof safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still haveto buckle up to get the most protection. That's true not only in frontal collisions, but especially inside and other collisions. A: 1-10