Studies have shown that if you are in a crash while using
seat belts, your chances of being hurt or killed are greatly
reduced. Seat belts will move with you and lock up if a
crash occurs. They keep you from being thrown from the
vehicle and against parts inside of your vehicle. In addi-
tion to protecting you from injury as a driver, seat belts
help you keep control of the vehicle. If you are struck
from the side or make a quick turn, the force could push
you sideways and therefore you cannot steer the vehicle
if you are not behind the wheel. In many states it is ille-
gal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger, without wear-
ing seat belts. Seatbelts may be required under gradu-
ated driver licensing for drivers or all occupants of the
vehicle.
Wear a seat belt all the time, not just on long trips or
high-speed highways. More than half of the crashes that
cause injury or death happen at speeds less than
40 mph and within 25 miles from home.
It is important to wear the seat belt correctly.
Correct
Incorrect
• A shoulder harness is worn across the shoulder and
chest with minimal, if any slack. The shoulder har-
ness should not be worn under the arm or behind
the back. Wearing the harness the wrong way could
cause serious internal injuries in a crash.
• The lap belt should be adjusted so that it is snug
and lies low across your hips after fastening. If you
have an automatic shoulder belt, be sure to buckle
your lap belt as well. Otherwise, in a collision you
could slide out of the belt and be hurt or killed.
• You should be seated upright with your back against
the seat and feet on the floor. Improper seating posi-
tions, such as slouching or resting one’s feet on the
dashboard can result in reduced effectiveness of the
vehicle’s restraint system and possibly result in
injury.
• Seat belts should be worn even if the vehicle is
equipped with air bags. While air bags are good
protection against hitting the steering wheel, dash-
board or windshield, they do not protect you if you
are hit from the side or rear or if the vehicle rolls
over. In addition, an air bag will not keep you behind
the wheel in these situations.
• The law requires that all children under the age of
12 must be secured in the rear seat and wear
appropriate seat restraints while the vehicle is in
motion.
IDENTIFICATION AND SAFETY
12
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