Proper adjustment of head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraints are an im
portant part of your vehicle's occupant re
straint system and can help to reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
Fig. 132 Head re str ain t: vi ew ed fro m the front
The head restraints must be correctly adjust
ed to achieve the best protection.
,.. For adjustable head restraints: adjust the
head restraint so the upper edge is as even
as possible with the top of your head. If that
is not possible, try to adjust the head re
straint so that it is as close to this position
as possible
q fig. 132.
"'" If there is a passenger on the rear cen ter
seating position, slide the center head re
straint upward at least to the next notch.
Adjusting head restraints
q page 52.
A WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with
head restraints that are not properly ad
justed increases the risk of serious or fatal
neck injury dramatically. To help reduce
the risk of injury:
- Always drive with the head restraints in
place and properly adjusted.
- Every person in the vehicle must have a
properly adjusted head restraint.
-Always make sure each person in the ve
hicle properly adjusts their head re
straint. Adjust the head restraint so the
upper edge is as even as possible with
the top of your head. If that is not possi
ble, try to adjust the head restraint so
Driving Safely 127
that it is as close to this position as pos
sible.
- Never attempt to adjust head restraint
while driving. If you have driven off and
must adjust the driver headrest for any
reason, first stop the vehicle safely be
fore attempting to adjust the head re
straint.
- Children must always be properly re
strained in a child restraint that is appro
priate for their age and size
q page 168.
Examples of improper seating positions
The occupan t restraint sys tem can only re
duce the risk of injury if vehicle occupants are
properly seated .
Improper seating positions can cause serious
injury or death . Safety belts can only work
when they are properly positioned on the
body . Improper seating positions reduce the
effectiveness of safety belts and will even in
crease the risk of injury and death by moving
the safety belt to critical areas of the body.
Improper seating positions also increase the
risk of serious injury and death when an air
bag deploys and strikes an occupant who is
not in the proper seating position. A driver is
responsible for the safety of all vehicle occu
pants and especially for children. Therefore :
,.. Never allow anyone to assume an incorrect
seating position when the vehicle is being
used
q _&, .
The following bulletins list only some sample
positions that will increase the risk of serious
injury and death. Our hope is that these exam
ples will make you more aware of seating po
sitions that are dangerous.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:
- never stand up in the vehicle
- never stand on the seats
- never kneel on the seats
- never ride with the seatback reclined
- never lie down on the rear seat
- never lean up against the instrument panel ..,.
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