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Because the passengers of this vehicle are not using safety belts
=> page 210, fig. 220, they will keep moving at the same speed the
vehicle was moving just before the crash, un t il some t hing stops
them - here, the wall ~ page 210, fig . 221.
The same principles apply to people sitting in a vehicle that is
involved in a frontal collision. Even at city speeds of 20 to 30 mph
(30 to 50 km/h), the forces acting on the body can reach one ton
(2,000 lbs, or 1,000 kg) or more . At grea t er spe eds, t hese forc es are
even higher.
People who do not use safety bel t s are also no t attached to their
vehicle. In a frontal collision they will also keep moving forward at
the speed their vehicle was travelling just before the crash. Of
course, the laws of physics don't just apply to frontal collisions, they
determine what happens in all kinds of accidents and collisions. •
What
happens
to occupants
not wearing
safety
belts?
In crashes unbelted occupants cannot stop themselves
from flying forward and being injured or killed. Always
wear your safety belts!
Fig. 222 A driver not
wearing a safety belt is
violently thrown
forward
Safety
belts
Fig. 223 A rear
passenger not wearing
a safety belt will fly
forward and strike the
driver
Unbelted occupants are no t able to resist the tremendous forces of
impact by holding tight or bracing themselves. Without the benefit
of safety restraint systems, the unrestrained occupant will slam
violently into the steering wheel, instrument panel, windshield, or
whatever else is in the way~
fig. 222. This impact with the vehicle
interior has all th e energy th ey had just before t he crash.
Never rely on airbags alone for protection. Even when they deploy,
airbags provide only additional protection. Airbags are not
supposed to deploy in all kinds of accidents. Although your Audi is
equipped with airbags , all vehicle occupants, including the driver,
must wear safety belts correctly in order to minimize the risk of
severe injury or death in a crash .
Remember too , that airbags will deploy only once and that your
safety belts are always there to offer protection in those accidents
in which airbags are not suppos ed to deploy or wh en they have
already deployed. Unbelted occupants can also be thrown out of the
vehicle where even more severe or fatal injuries can occur .
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear safety belts
correctly . Unbelted passengers in the rear seats endanger not only
themselves but also the dr iver and other passengers => fig . 223. In a
frontal collision they will be thrown forward violently, where they
can hit and injure the driver and/or front seat passenger. •
Vehicle care
I
I
Technical data
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