Seat Belt Precautions

Infant or Small Child

All 50 states have child restraint laws. You must know the specific requirements in your state. The child and/or child seats must be properly placed and installed in the rear seat. For more information on using these restrictions, refer to the "Child Restraint System" section in this chapter.

✽ NOTICE

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat by a child restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Before buying a child restraint system, make sure it has a label certifying that it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. The restraint must be suitable for your child's height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint for this information. Refer to the "Child Restraint System" section in this chapter.

Older children

Children who are too large for a child restraint system must always sit in the rear seat and use the lap/shoulder belt. The lap portion must be secured and pressed against the hips as low as possible. Check periodically to make sure the belt fits properly. Child squirming may move the belt out of position. Children are most protected in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat. If a larger child (older than 13) must sit in the front seat, the child must be securely restrained with the lap/shoulder belt and the seat must be in the rearmost position. Children 13 years and younger must be securely restrained in the rear seat. NEVER place a child 13 years or younger in the front seat. NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion touches the child's neck or face, try moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck, they should return to the child restraint system.

WARNING! Small Children

Do not allow small children to ride in the vehicle without an appropriate child restraint system. If the shoulder belt contacts your child's neck or face, or if your child is too small to ride in the vehicle. In an accident, the seat belt may cause injury to the child's neck, throat and face.

Pregnant Women Restriction

Pregnant women should wear the lap/shoulder belt whenever possible, as recommended by their physician. The lap portion of the belt must be worn AS SECURELY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.

WARNING - Pregnant Women

Pregnant women must never place the lap portion of the belt above or over the abdomen where the fetus is located. The force of the seat belt during a collision will crush the fetus.

Injured Person

The seat belt should be used when transporting an injured person. When necessary, consult a physician for recommendations.

One person per belt

Two persons (including children) should never attempt to use one seat belt. This may increase the severity of injuries in an accident.

Do not recline

To reduce the likelihood of injury in an accident and achieve maximum restraint effectiveness, all passengers must sit upright in both front and rear seats, and seatbacks must be in the upright position while the vehicle is in motion. A seat belt cannot provide proper protection if a person is lying across the rear seat or if the front or rear seatbacks are reclined.