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How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special thgs 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 Pontiac, see the part of this manual called
“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s
protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehcle has.
We’ll start
with the driver position.
Driver Position (2-Door Models)
This part describes the driver’s restraint system. If you
have a four-door model, see “Driver Position (4-DOOr
Models)” later in this section.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (2-Door Models)
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.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Don’t
let it get twisted.
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 should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely
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 crash.
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@ 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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What’s wrong with this?
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&.. What's wrong with this?
I
A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should
be
worn over the shoulder at all times.
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Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is twisted acfQss the body.
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To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle, Driver Position (4-Door Models)
The belt should go back out of the way.
This part describes the driver’s restraint system. If you
have a two-door model, see “Driver Position (2-Door
Models)’’ earlier in this section.
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Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way.
If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the
belt and your vehicle.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (4-Door Models)
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.
Don’t let
it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across
you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
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.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end
of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.
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