Seat Belts; Wearing Seat Belts - Skoda Fabia Owner's Manual

Seat belts

Wearing seat belts

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
The physical principle of a frontal collision
Fastening and unfastening seat belts
Belt height adjustment on the front seats
Seat belts that are fastened correctly offer good protection in the event of an
accident. They reduce the risk of an injury and increase the chance of survival
in the event of a major accident.
Correctly fastened seat belts hold occupants of the car in the correct seated
position » Fig. 3.
The seat belts reduce the kinetic energy (energy of motion) to a considerable
extent. They also prevent uncontrolled movements which, in turn, may well re-
sult in severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their
seat belt benefit greatly from the fact that the kinetic energy is absorbed by
the belts as much as possible.
The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other passive safety meas-
ures, such as the airbag system, also contribute to reducing the kinetic energy
in the best possible way. The energy produced is thus absorbed and there is
less risk of injury.
Particular safety aspects must be observed when transporting children in the
vehicle » page 19, Transporting children safely.
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Safety
Fig. 3
Driver wearing seat belt
WARNING
Fasten your seat belt before each journey - even when driving in town!
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This also applies to the people seated at the rear – there is a risk of injury.
Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way
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of ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child
and unfastening seat belts.
The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if you
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are correctly seated » page
The seat backrests of the front seats must not be tilted too far to the rear
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otherwise the seatbelts can lose their effectiveness.
WARNING
Information on the correct routing of the belt
Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
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belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even
in minor accidents.
Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of the
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belt is roughly positioned across the middle of your shoulder - on no ac-
count across your neck.
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A seat belt which is hanging too loose can result in injuries as your body is
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moved forward by the kinetic energy produced in an accident and is then
suddenly held firm by the belt.
The belt must not run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. spectacles, ball-
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point pens, keys, etc.). Such objects can cause injury.
WARNING
Information on dealing with the safety belts
The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point or twis-
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ted, or chafe against any sharp edges.
Make sure you do not catch the seat belt in the door when closing it.
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WARNING
Information on the proper use of the safety belts
Never use a seatbelt to secure two persons (not even children). Nor may
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the seat belt be placed over a child who is sitting on the lap of another pas-
senger.
» page 12, Fastening
7, Correct and safe seated position.
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