1994 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual - Page 16

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -and the Answers Q: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I'm wearing a safety belt? safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That's true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. BELTS C Q: If I'm a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You could be -- whether you're wearing a safety belt or not. But you can easily 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, is much greater if you are belted. A: 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 you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety Belt Reminder Light Yhen the key is turned to "Run" or Start", a chime will come on for about ight seconds to remind people to fasten heir safety belts. The safety belt light vi11 also come on and stay on for about 10seconds. If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the light vill come on. Q: Why don't they just put in air bags so people won't have to wear safety belts? A: Air bags, or Supplemental Inflatable Restraint systems, are in some Safety belts are for everyone. vehicles today and will be in more of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only -- so they work safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of 15...