Additional Seat Belt Precautions

Using the Seat Belt During Pregnancy

The seat belt should always be used during pregnancy. The best way to protect your baby is to protect yourself by always wearing your seat belt.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death to the unborn child in a crash, pregnant women must NEVER place the seat belt's lap portion above the abdomen.

Pregnant women should always wear the three-point seat belt. Place the shoulder belt across the chest, between the breasts, and away from the neck. Place the lap belt low, under the abdomen, so that it fits SNUGLY over the hips and pelvis below the rounded part of the abdomen.

Using Children and Seat Belts

Infants and Small Children

Most countries have legislation requiring children to travel in approved child restraint systems, including child safety seats.

The age at which seat belts can be used instead of child restraint systems varies from country to country, so you must check the specific requirements of your country and the country in which you are traveling. The child restraint system must be properly positioned and installed on the rear seat. For this information, see "Child Restraint Systems" in this section.

WARNING

ALWAYS properly secure infants and small children in a child restraint system suitable for the child's height and weight.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death to the child and other passengers, NEVER hold a child on your lap or in your arms while the vehicle is moving. The forces generated in a crash may tear the child from your arms and throw the child into the vehicle interior.

In the event of a crash, small children are better protected if they are properly restrained in the rear seat with a child restraint system that complies with the safety standards in effect in your country. Before purchasing a child restraint system, make sure it is approved and certified in accordance with your country's safety standards. OUR child restraint system must match the height and weight of your child. To be sure, check the label attached to the system. Child restraint device. Refer to the "Child Restraint Systems" section later in this chapter.

older children

Children who are too large for child safety seats should always occupy the rear seats and be secured with the three-point seat belts provided. To properly restrain the child, the lap portion of the seat belt should rest on the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest. Check the belt fit periodically. An active child may move the belt. Children benefit from increased safety in an accident when they are restrained with a child restraint system in the rear seats.

If a larger child (older than 13 years) is seated in the front seat, they must be properly restrained with the three-point seat belt, and the seat should be moved as far back as possible.

If the shoulder belt touches the child's neck or face, try moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the diagonal belt touches their face or neck, they should use a booster seat suitable for children in the rear seat.

WARNING

• Always make sure the child's seat belts are not worn and are properly adjusted.
• NEVER allow the diagonal belt to contact the neck or face of the child.
• Never allow more than one child to use the same seat belt.

Seat Belt Injuries

It is recommended that the seat belt be worn when transporting an injured person. For more specific recommendations, consult a doctor.

One Person per Belt

Two people (including children) must never use the same seat belt at the same time. This will increase the severity of injury in the event of a crash.

Do Not Recline

Do not sit reclined while the vehicle is moving. Even when belted, the protection provided by your restraint system (seat belts and/or airbags) is significantly reduced if your seat is reclined. To perform their function, seat belts must fit snugly over the hips and chest. In a crash, you may be thrown against the seat belt, which may result in neck injury and other injuries.

The more the seatback is reclined, the greater the risk that the occupant's hips will slide under the lap belt, or the neck may be caught by the diagonal belt.

WARNING

• NEVER sit behind the wheel with the seatback reclined while the vehicle is in motion.
• Sitting in a reclined position in a moving vehicle increases the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision or sudden stop.
• The driver and passengers should always sit well back on the seat, properly secured, with the seatback in the upright position. Protective devices of your vehicle