Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be— whether you are wearing a safety belt or not.

Your chance of being conscious during and after a crash, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts— not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection.

Also, in nearly all states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts.

    See also:

    Folding the Seatback
    Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position befo ...

    Automatic Transmission
    If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information. Vehicles with an automatic transmission have an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument panel cluster. Th ...

    Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle
    WARNING A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Secure the child restraint properly in the vehicle using the vehicle s ...