Seating and safety restraints – FORD 2002 Taurus v.4 User Manual
Page 113
The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts:
(All statistics based on U.S. data)
Reasons given...
Consider...
“Crashes are rare events”
36700 crashes occur every day. The more
we drive, the more we are exposed to “rare”
events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us
will be seriously injured in a crash during
our lifetime.
“I’m not going far”
3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of
home.
“Belts are uncomfortable”
We design our safety belts to enhance
comfort. If you are uncomfortable - try
different positions for the safety belt upper
anchorage and seatback which should be as
upright as possible; this can improve comfort.
“I was in a hurry”
Prime time for an accident. BeltMinder
reminds us to take a few seconds to buckle
up.
“Seat belts don’t work”
Safety belts, when used properly, reduce
risk of death to front seat occupants by
45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks.
“Traffic is light”
Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in
single-vehicle crashes, many when no other
vehicles are around.
“Belts wrinkle my clothes”
Possibly, but a serious crash can do much
more than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if
you are unbelted.
“The people I’m with don’t
wear belts”
Set the example, teen deaths occur 4 times
more often in vehicles with TWO or MORE
people. Children and younger brothers/sisters
imitate behavior they see.
“I have an air bag”
Air bags offer greater protection when used
with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not
designed to inflate in rear and side crashes or
rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea. People who are ejected
are 40 times more likely to DIE. Safety
belts help prevent ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK
OUR CRASH”.
Seating and Safety Restraints
113