Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 56

54 Sitting properly and safely
What happens to occupants not wearing seat belts?
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First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 52.
Many people believe that you can support your body during a minor accident with
your hands. This is wrong!
Even at low impact speeds, forces are acting on your body that can not be prop-
ped up with your arms and hands. In the event of a frontal collision, occupants not
wearing a seat belt are catapulted forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts
of the interior of the vehicle, such as steering wheel, instrument panel and wind-
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screen
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt! When the airbags deploy,
the airbags only offer additional protection. Airbags do not deploy in all types of
accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all occupants
must be wearing seat belts properly during the ride, including the driver. This re-
duces the risk of serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident – regardless
of whether an airbag exists for the seat.
An airbag deploys only once. To achieve the best possible protection, the seat
belts must be fastened always correctly to protect the occupants of the vehicle
also in case of accidents without airbag deployment. Occupants not wearing seat
belts can be catapulted out of the vehicle, thereby suffering even more serious or
Fig. 33 The driver not wear-
fatal injuries.
ing a seat belt is catapulted
forward.
It is also important that rear seat passengers fasten their seat belt as they will
otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in the event
of an accident. A rear seat passenger not wearing a seat belt is a danger not only
to himself but also for other persons in the vehicle
Fig. 34 A passenger not
wearing a seat belt on the
rear seat is catapulted for-
ward toward the driver wear-
ing a seat belt.
33.
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34.
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