Seatbelts

SEAT BELT SAFETY Seat belts are life saving equipment. In a collision,unrestrainedpassengerscan be thrown around insidethe vehicle,or possibly thrown out of the vehicle,resultingin injuryto themselvesand to otheroccupants.DONOT takechanceswith safety! • DOmakesureALL passengersare securelystrappedin at alltimes- evenfor the shortestjourneys. • ALWAYS adjustseatbeltsto eliminateany slackin the webbing,and to ensurethat the diagonalbeltpassesacrossthe shoulderwithout slippingoff or pressing on the neck. • ALWAYS fit the lap strapas low on the hips as possible(neveracrossthe abdomen). • DONOTslackenthe webbingby pulling the beltawayfrom the body - to be fully effective,the seatbeltmust be in full contactwith the body at alltimes. • DOhaveseatbeltscheckedif the vehicle has been involvedin an accident. • DONOTallowfront seatoccupantsto travelwith the seatbacksreclinedsteeply rearwards.Optimumbenefitis obtained from the seatbelt,with the seatbackangle set to 25 degreesfrom the upright (vertical)position. • DOuse the seatbeltsto securelargeitems of luggagethat areto be carriedon the seats- in the eventof an accident, insecureitemsbecomeflyingmissiles capableof causingseriousinjury. • DONOTfit morethan one personinto a belt,or fit a seatbeltthat is twistedor obstructedin any waythat could impede itssmooth operation. • DONOTallowforeignmatter(particularly sugaryfood and drinkparticles)to enter the seatbeltlocks- such substancescan renderthe locksinoperative. • In most countries,alloccupantsare requiredby lawto weara seatbelt,unless they havebeen issuedwith a medical exemptioncertificate.Duringpregnancy, women should wearthe lap beltacrossthe hips belowthe baby, with the diagonalbelt passingacrossthe shoulder,betweenthe breastsand to one sideof the baby - if in doubt, consulta doctor.

WARNING Ensure that all seat belts are worn correctly - an improperlyworn seat belt increasesthe riskof death or seriousinjuryin the event of an accident.

WARNING At all times,occupantsshould wear a seat belt for their protectionin the event of a collisionor sudden stop.In some circumstances,perhaps due to the vehicle being on a slope,the automatic locking mechanismmay engage, preventingthe initial extensionof the belt. This is not a fault - ease the belt free and use it.

Fastening the inertia reel belts Drawthe beltoverthe shoulderand across the chest,and insertthe metaltongue plate into the locknearestthe wearer- a ’click’ indicatesthat the beltis securelylocked. Seatbeltsaredesignedto bearupon the bony structureof the body (pelvis,chestand shoulders)and can only be worn safelywith the webbingcrossingthe shoulderMIDWAY BETWEENTHE NECK ANDTHE EDGEOFTHE SHOULDERand with the seatsin a normal UPRIGHTposition- DONOTallowthe front passengerto travelwith the seatsteeply reclined. Lap belts To adjust,pullthe slideralong the beltand feed the webbingthrough the buckleuntilthe beltis comfortablytight. When not in use, the lap beltsshould be stowedbehind the seat back.

Infant and child restraints Allinfantand childrestraintsystemsare designedto be securedin forwardfacing vehicleseatsby meansof a lap beltor the lap portionof a lap/shoulderbelt. When installingand using any infantor child restraintsystem,alwaysfollowthe instructionsprovidedby the manufacturer concerninginstallationand use. Failureto properlysecurethe childrestraintsystemin the vehiclecan endangerthe childin a collisionor sudden stop and causeinjuryto otherpassengers. Neverleave a child unattended in your vehicle. WARNING Infants and childrentoo small for seat belts should be restrainedin a child safetyseat or restraintsystem,appropriateto their age and/or size,and which is approved for use in your vehicle.Alwaysensure that the manufacturer’sfitting instructionsare followed exactly. • Do not fit child safetyseats or restraint systemsto the inward facing rear seats. • DONOTallow a baby or infant to be carriedon the lap. The forceof a crash can increasethe effectivebody weight by as much as 30 times,making it impossibleto hold on to the child. • DONOTuse a child seat that ’hooks’ over a seatback,it is not secure.

Caring for seat belts Regularlyinspectthe beltwebbingfor signsof wear,payingparticularattentionto the fixing pointsand adjusters.Alwaysreplacea seat beltthat has withstoodthe strainof an impact or showssignsof fraying. DONOTbleachor dye the webbing.Cleanthe webbingusing warmwaterand non-detergent soap only - allowto dry naturallyand DONOT retractthe beltuntilcompletelydry. Testing inertia reel belts Fromtimeto timecarryout the following tests: 1. Withthe seatbeltfastened,givethe webbingnearthe bucklea quickupward pull.The bucklemust remainsecurely locked. 2. Withthe seatbeltunfastened,unreelthe webbingto the limitof itstravel.Check that unreelingis freefrom snatchesand snags. 3. Withthe webbinghalfunreeled,hold the tongue plateand giveit a quickforward pull.The safetymechanismmust lock automaticallyand preventany further unreeling.