c
4.
Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Be sure to use the correct buckle when buckling your
lap-shoulder belt. If you find that the latch plate will
not go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the
buckle for the center passenger position.
Pull up
on
the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If
the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button
on
the buckle
is
positioned
so
you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
The lap
part
of
the belt should be
worn
low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs.
In
a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less
likely to slide under
the
lap belt.
If
you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen.
This
could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These
parts
of
the body are best able
to
take belt restraining
forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash.
