1994 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 21

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That's why safety belts make such good sense. Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -and theAnswers Q: Won't I be trapped in the vehicle if after an accident I'm wearing a safety belt? A: You could be - whether you're wearing a safety belt or not.But you can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even if you're upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. Q: Why don't they just put in air bags so people won't haveto wear safety belts? A: Air bags, or Supplemental Restraint Systems, are in some vehicles today and will be in more of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only- so they workwith safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That's true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. Q: If I'm a good driver, and I never drive far fromhome, why shouldI wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver,but if you're in an accident - even one that isn't your fault - you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn't protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 ltm) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 l d h ) . Safety belts are for everyone. AIR BAG \ Safety Belt Warning Light When the key is turned to Run or Start, a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is already buckled. The safety belt light will also comeon and stay on for 20 seconds, then it will flash foran additional 55 seconds. If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the light will comeon.