2002 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 113

Seating and Safety Restraints The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts: (All statistics based on U.S. data) Reasons given..."Crashes are rare events" Consider...36700 crashes occur every day. The more we drive, the more we are exposed to "rare" events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us will be seriously injured in a crash during our lifetime. "I'm not going far" 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home. "Belts are uncomfortable" We design our safety belts to enhance comfort. If you are uncomfortable - try different positions for the safety belt upper anchorage and seatback which should be as upright as possible; this can improve comfort. "I was in a hurry" Prime time for an accident. BeltMinder reminds us to take a few seconds to buckle up. "Seat belts don't work" Safety belts, when used properly, reduce risk of death to front seat occupants by 45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks. "Traffic is light" Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. "Belts wrinkle my clothes" Possibly, but a serious crash can do much more than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you are unbelted. "The people I'm with don't Set the example, teen deaths occur 4 times wear belts" more often in vehicles with TWO or MORE people. Children and younger brothers/sisters imitate behavior they see. "I have an air bag" Air bags offer greater protection when used with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not designed to inflate in rear and side crashes or rollovers. "I'd rather be thrown clear" Not a good idea. People who are ejected are 40 times more likely to DIE. Safety belts help prevent ejection, WE CAN'T "PICK OUR CRASH". 113