1997 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 19

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers If I'm a good driver, andI never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? Q Z A: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident ifI'm wearing a safety belt? You could be -- whether you're wearing a safety belt or not. Butyou can unbucklea safety belt, even if you're upside down. And your chanceof being conscious during and after anaccident, 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. Andthe greatest numberof serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. If my vehicle hasair bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. Butthey are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them. 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 to buckle upto get the most protection. That's true not only in frontal collisions, but esp'eciallyin side and other collisions. 1-12