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The Canadien Champion, May 20,1997--Auto 7 Myths and facts about wearng automobile safety beits MVTH: In a c rash it is aimenoriesess he thi ownl out oi the car. FACT: The chances of being fatally injui are almost 25 times greater if you're thro, from the car than if you're safely buckled your seat. If you aren't wearing your safety t you could be: " thrown through the windshield " thrown into treea, rocks, or other cars " scraped along the ground or pavement " mun over by your own or another car MYTH: The chances of being in an acci- dent are slim. FACT: Everyone can expect to be in a crash once every 10 years. For one out of every 20 people it will be a serious crash. For one out of every 60 children born today it will be fatal. MYTH: The use of a seat belt can cause more serious injuries during a crash than if the driver were not belted. FACT: In a crash, a safety beit may pro- duce injuries if it is not worn properly. But, if the occupant is tossed around or ejected fmom the vehicle they are likely to sustain much more serious injuries or death, and could injure others in the vebi- cie. TBbe problemn of misuse typically takes on one of tbree formas: lap beits are womn across the abdomen rather than low on the thighs, with the potential for serious abdominal or spinal injuries; shoulder belta are worn under the arro resulting in excessive pressure on the chest and inter- naI organs in the event of a crash; and seat belts are womn with toor much slack, rather than snugly to prevent unecessary move- ment. MYTH: If an individual chooses not to wear a seat belt, that individual is only endangering their own safety. FACT: If unbelted during a crash the vehicle occupant may be thrown into other people in the car. One out of four serious injuries occuring to passengers of motor vehicles is caused by people being thrown into each other. One of the more common causes of death and injury to children in automobile crashes is being crushed by adults who are not wearing safety belts. Being belted also gives the driver an improved chance of controlling bis or ber vehicle during an accident, tbereby reduc- ing the risk of causing barmi to others. MYTH: Safety belta are not necessary when taking short trips at slow speeds. FACT: Three out of four crashes occur witbin 40 km (25 miles) of home. Eigbty per cent of deaths and serious injury occur in cars travelling under 65 km/b. MYTH: It is not necessary for good dri- vers to use safety belta. FACT: No matter how good a driver you may be, you can't control the other car. Mechanical failure, bad drvn an1 d poor judgment may cause another car to involve you in an acident. MYTH: In a bumning or submerged car, occupants can be trapped by their safety belts. FACT: Less than one-haîf of one per cent of ail injury-producing collisions involve fire or submersion. If sucb an acci- dent does occur, a safety belt can save your life by keeping you unhurt, alert and I/Hand Wash IDust & Vacuum iIChamois Dry Interior i/Hand Wax IClean Windows / Oean & Dress Inside & Out0 Wheels & Tires id.w Lcmted et MütanCrserD,9 a, aogr.,Muatd, mi.L m m 875-2799 MYTH: Pregnant women shud not wear MYTH: An aduit's arms provide the best pro- safety belts. tection for a very small baby. FACT: The greateat cause of fetai deatb in FACT: In tests, male and femnale volunteers auto accidents is the death of the mother so ber were belted into vehicle seata. Each held an 8 kg survival must be the first priority. A lap belt (17 lb) dummy representing the size and weigbt worn below the "bulge" and a snug shoulder belt of a six-month-old baby. They were then tested above will give the mother and fetus a better for their ability to clasp the infant dummy \ ai t1 to Lîîî Clc. L\ un i[u11M iiiiiii 'I, . a 24 km/h (15 m.p.h.) impact not une ut the vol- unteers could hold onto the "baby." No matter how strong you are or how much warning you have, you cannot hold onto the baby in a crash. The preceeding is court esy of the Scarborough Health Departmnent in co-operation with the Ontario Miniatry of Transportation. ---- - -- ý ý ý Two th ings our competitors don want you to see a I I 't' I I --- -- ------ - -- J ' 97 Our Features . Sunf ire Sedan _ 4-speed automatic transmission Our Pr ice. Purc hase I *TLAS per month j/36: months17- 59t *2 3 9J (excludes freight $620) An a ý,%,**VALUE 9 FINANCING on selected vehicles ý0 ý() LJýý 1-W (M ( ird uM What's YOUr card done for YOU ate1v.ý Get whatvo only * 1JI 00l down Pont from your Performance POTA Team IBuicKI You should know this: *Based on a 36 month lease for 1.997 Si.nfire Sedan 1SA eqi.ipp ed as de scribed. A minimum doue payient of $1,000 and $300 I I /~ secuiity depesit are required. Annual kilometre limit: 20,000 km. $0 OS0 per excess kilometre. OAC. Sthe- lcase ep tiens avai table. ctFfeiget *620, licence, ionsurance and taxes are net me luded. Diealer trade may be neces- sary. Diealer iccy seli/lease for lcss. Sec Dtealer fer deta is. *cp nancing oapproecd GMAC credit only. Exaiple: *1.0,000 et 3.9% APR, the monttily paymcnt is *220.33 for 4l8 montes. tost of borrowing is $815-84. Total obligation is *1.0,81S.84. Down payment may be req.ired. *t ceffe s apply te, 1,997 new or de mo nstrator codels only and applies te quaificd reta i cu stomers only. Lomited time offers which may net be ceeS ced wite other offers. See Dealer for dertails. I I I I I I t' I I I I I I I J