Safe driving
Safe driving
General notes
Safety is the first priority
The safety features in your vehicle are harmon
ised to provide you and your passengers with the
best possible protection in accident situations.
However, they can only be effective if you and
your passengers sit in the correct position and
adjust and use the safety equipment properly.
For these reasons, this chapter explains why
these safety features are so important, how they
can protect you, what you need to remember
when using them, and
how
you and your passen
gers can gain the most benefit from them. There
are also a number of important safety warnings
which you and your passengers should always ob
serve in order to minimise the risk of injury.
WARNING
- The information in this chapter is important
for the driver of the vehicle and all passen
gers.
The other chapters in this manual
(and,
where applicable, in the other litera
ture supplied with the vehicle) contain fur
ther important notes which you should read
and observe for your own safety and that of
your passengers.
- Ensure that the complete vehicle wallet is
always in the vehicle. This is especially im
portant when you lend or sell the vehicle to
others.
CO
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Before every trip
The driver is responsible for the safety of the
passengers and the safe operation of the vehicle
at all times.
For
your own safety and the safety of your pas
sengers, always note the following points before
every trip:
•
Make sure that all lights and turn signals are
working properly.
•
Check the tyre pressures.
•
Make sure that all windows are clean and give
good visibility to the outside.
•
Secure all luggage and other items carefully
•=>
page 272.
• Make sure that no objects can interfere with
the pedals.
•
Adjust the front seat, head restraint and mir
rors correctly.
• Applies to: adjustable head restraints: Make
sure that the front passenger's head restraint is
adjusted to the correct position.
• Applies to: adjustable head restraints: Make
sure that the head restraints for the rear pas
sengers are in the fully raised position.
•
Make sure that children are protected with suit
able safety seats and properly worn seat belts
•=>
page 267.
•
Sit in the correct position in your seat. Make
sure
that
your passengers are sitting in the cor
rect positions
^>page
58.
•
Fasten your seat belt correctly. Make sure that
your passengers do the same
^page
275.
What factors can impair your safety?
Safety on the road is directly related to
how
you
drive, and can also be affected by the passengers
in the vehicle.
• The driver is responsible for the safety of the
vehicle and all its occupants. If your ability to
drive is impaired in any way, you endanger
yourself and other road users
,=>^.
Therefore:
• Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers
or by using a mobile phone, etc.
•
Never drive when your driving ability is im
paired (by medication, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
• Obey all traffic regulations and speed limits
and always maintain a safe distance to the
vehi
cle in front.
•
Always adjust your speed to suit the
road,
traf
fic and weather conditions.
•
Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive
for more than two hours without a stop.
•
If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or
stressed.
•
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