Safe Transport Of Children - Maserati Quattroporte Automatic Owner's Manual

M139_UM_ing.book Page 27 Friday, September 5, 2008 8:19 AM

Safe transport of children

For optimal protection in the event of
a collision, all the occupants in the
vehicle must travel seated and
protected by appropriate restraining
systems. The seat belts have been
designed to be used by persons whose
physical characteristics (i.e. age,
height, weight) fall within the limits
provided for by established legislation
in each country (for the European
Community: 150 cm in height and 3-
years of age minimum). Anyone who
does not comply with these provisions
may not travel in the passenger seat.
This also applies to children. Their
heads are proportionally heavier and
larger than those of adults, while their
bones and muscles are relatively
undeveloped. To protect them in the
case of a collision, they must use
special restraint or safety systems.
Where provided for by law (in
the European Community),
children under 3 years of age
cannot travel in the vehicle unless
using a suitable restraint system.
Where provided for by law (in
the European Community),
children under 3 years of age
who are less than 150 cm tall may not
travel on the front seat unless using a
suitable restraint system.
Children must always use a
suitable restraint system
when travelling, preferably
fitted on the rear seat as this is the
safest position in the event of a
collision.
When travelling with one or
more child seats fitted on the
rear seat of the vehicle, the
tables must be closed.
No child seat can be installed
in the rear, central seat.
Children must never travel
seated on a passenger's lap. In
a collision, a child becomes so
heavy that it is impossible to hold onto
him or her. For example, in the event
of a collision at only 40 km/h, a child
weighing 5.5 kg exerts a force equal to
110 kg on the arms of the person
carrying him/her. Children must
always be protected by a suitable
restraining system when travelling.
Children who are resting on
the airbag or are too close to it
when it is activated, may be
seriously injured. The airbags and
pretensioners provide suitable
protection for adults and teenagers,
but not for children and babies.
Neither the seat belts or the airbags
are designed for them. Children and
babies must travel in suitable
restraining systems.
Safe transport of children
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