Automobile Seat Restraints

Wearing seat belts saves lives and prevents injuries. No one is strong enough to brace themselves against a sudden impact in a motor vehicle, even at very low speeds. Seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury and death.

- Wear your seat belt every time you are in a vehicle. Always use both the lap and shoulder belts. Position the lap belt low over your hip bones and the shoulder belt over your shoulder and across you chest (never under your arm or behind your back). Pregnant women should position the lap belt below the developing baby.

- Seat belts are necessary even if your car is equipped with air bags. Air bags inflate from the steering wheel or dashboard of your car in the event of sudden impact. They are very effective in protecting front-seat riders, but they must be used with seat belts. Infants in car seats and children and adults under 142 cm (4 feet 8 inches) in height should not sit in front of an air bag.

- Children younger than 12 years of age should sit in the back seat. Use child car seats for infants, children under 4, and those weighing less than 18 kg (40 lb).