Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Owner's Manual page 118

The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts:
(All statistics based on U.S. data)
Reasons given...
"Crashes are rare events" 36700 crashes occur every day. The more
"I'm not going far"
"Belts are uncomfortable" We design our safety belts to enhance comfort.
"I was in a hurry"
"Safety belts don't work"
"Traffic is light"
"Belts wrinkle my
clothes"
"The people I'm with
don't wear belts"
"I have an air bag"
"I'd rather be thrown
clear"
Seating and Safety Restraints
Consider...
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.
3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of
home.
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.
Prime time for an accident. BeltMinder
reminds us to take a few seconds to buckle up.
Safety belts, when used properly, reduce
risk of death to front seat occupants by 45%
in cars, and by 60% in light trucks.
Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in single-vehicle
crashes, many when no other vehicles are
around.
Possibly, but a serious crash can do much more
than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you
are unbelted.
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.
Air bags offer greater protection when used
with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not
designed to inflate in rear and side crashes or
rollovers.
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".
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