You'll find many safety 
recommendations throughout this 
section, and throughout this manual. 
The recommendations on this page are
the ones we consider to be the most important. 
Always Wear Your Seat Belt 
A seat belt is your best protection in all 
types of collisions. Airbags are designed 
to supplement seat belts, not replace 
them. So even though your vehicle is 
equipped with airbags, make sure you 
and your passengers always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly (see 
page 14). 
Restrain All Children 
Children age 12 and under should ride 
properly restrained in a back seat, not 
the front seat. Infants and small children 
should be restrained in a child seat. 
Larger children should use a booster 
seat and a lap/shoulder belt until they
can use the belt properly without a 
booster seat (see pages 3452). Be Aware of Airbag Hazards 
While airbags can save lives, they can 
cause serious or fatal injuries to 
occupants who sit too close to them, or
are not properly restrained. Infants, 
young children, and short adults are at 
the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all 
instructions and warnings in this manual. 
Don't Drink and Drive 
Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one 
drink can reduce your ability to respond 
to changing conditions, and your
reaction time gets worse with every 
additional drink. So don't drink and 
drive, and don't let your friends drink 
and drive, either. 
Pay Appropriate Attention to the 
Task of Driving Safely 
Engaging in mobile phone conversation 
or other activities that keep you from 
paying close attention to the road, other 
vehicles and pedestrians could lead to a 
crash. Remember, situations can change 
quickly, and only you can decide when it 
is safe to divert attention away from driving. Control Your Speed 
Excessive speed is a major factor in 
crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the 
higher the speed, the greater the risk,
but serious injuries can also occur at 
lower speeds. Never drive faster than is 
safe for current conditions, regardless of 
the maximum speed posted. 
Keep Your Vehicle in Safe Condition 
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical 
failure can be extremely hazardous. To 
reduce the possibility of such problems, 
check your tire pressures and condition 
frequently, and perform all regularly 
scheduled maintenance (see page 247).
Important Safety Precautions
6
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