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This section describes how to use the 
seat belts properly. It also describes 
some of the things not to do when using 
seat belts.
Seat Belt Safety Precautions
Always fasten your seat belt and make 
sure all passengers have fastened their 
seat belts before starting any trip. Air 
bags are designed to supplement the 
seat belt as an additional safety device, 
but they are not a substitute. Most states 
require all occupants of a vehicle to wear 
seat belts.
 WARNING
Seat belts must be used by ALL 
passengers whenever the vehicle is 
moving. Take the following precautions 
when adjusting and wearing seat belts:
• ALWAYS properly restrain children 
under age 13 in the rear seats.
• NEVER allow children to ride in the 
front passenger seat. If a child age 13 
or older must be seated in the front 
seat, move the seat as far back as 
possible and properly restrain them 
in the seat.
• NEVER allow an infant or child to be 
carried on an occupant’s lap.
• NEVER ride with the seatback 
reclined when the vehicle is moving.
• Do not allow children to share a seat 
or seat belt.
• Do not wear the shoulder belt under 
your arm or behind your back.
• Always wear both the shoulder 
portion and lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt.
• Never wear a seat belt over fragile 
objects. If there is a sudden stop or 
impact, the seat belt can damage it.
• Do not use the seat belt if it is 
twisted. A twisted seat belt will not 
protect you properly in an accident.
• Do not use a seat belt if the webbing 
or hardware is damaged.
• Do not latch the seat belt into the 
buckles of other seats.
• NEVER unfasten the seat belt 
while driving. This may cause loss 
of vehicle control resulting in an 
accident.
• Make sure there is nothing in the 
buckle interfering with the seat belt 
latch mechanism. This may prevent 
the seat belt from fastening securely.
• No modifications or additions 
should be made by the user which 
will either prevent the seat belt 
adjusting devices from operating to 
remove slack, or prevent the seat 
belt assembly from being adjusted to 
remove slack.
 WARNING
Damaged seat belts and seat belt 
assemblies will not operate properly. 
Always replace:
• Frayed, contaminated, or damaged 
webbing
• Damaged hardware
• The entire seat belt assembly after it 
has been worn in an accident, even 
if damage to webbing or assembly is 
not apparent
SEAT BELTS