1994 GMC SIERRA Owners Manual

3 Get it up to speed.
Then
stop the
“vehicle.” The rider
doesn’t
stop.
The person keeps
going until stopped
by
something.
In a real vehicle, it
could be the
windshield
. . .
or the instrument
panel
...
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or the safety belts i
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to
stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces.
That’s
why safety belts make such good sense.
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts
- and the Answers
Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident ifI’m wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be - whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you
can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even
if you’re upside down. And
your chance
of being conscious during and after an accident, so you
can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
Q Why don’t they just put in air bags so people won’t have to wear
safety belts?
A: Air bags are in some vehicles today and will be in more of them in the
future. But they are supplemental systems only - so they work with
safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for
sale has required
the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that
has air bags. you still have to buckle
up to get the most protection.
That’s true not only
in frontal collisions, but especially in side and
other collisions.
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Q : If I ’rn a good driver, and I never drive farjrom home, why should I
wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident - even
one that isn’t your fault - you and your passengers can be hurt. Being
a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control,
such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the
greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less
than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
Safety Beit Reminder Light
When the key is
turned to “Run” or
“Start,”
a light will
come on for about
eight seconds to
remind people
to
fasten their safety
belts.
Unless
the driver’s safety belt is already buckled, a tone will also sound.
How To Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This section is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and
children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a
child
will be riding in your vehicle, see the section after this one, called
“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.
First,
you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
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Driver Position
This section describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index) so you can sit up
straight.
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3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. (On some models,
you may hear a clicking sound as the belt is pulled out. The clicking
sound is the shoulder belt tension feature operating properly.) Don’t let
the belt get twisted.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch
plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of
this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be
able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
The lap part of the belt
SI
touching the thighs. In a
And you’d be less likely nould
be worn low and snug on the hips, just
crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones.
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious
or even
fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the
chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop
or a crash.
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Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection
this way.
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Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.
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Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is over an armrest.
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