Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts
Fig. 47 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards
Fig. 48 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that occupants cannot brace themselves with their arms and hands. In a frontal collision, unbelted vehicle occupants are thrown forwards and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehicle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen .
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide additional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
Each airbag can only be triggered once. To achieve best possible protection, seat belts must always be worn properly. This also ensures that protection is provided in accidents in which the airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a result.
It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing seat belts endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle .
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 45 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle
heading for a brick wall
Fig. 46 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle
striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety ...
Seat belt protection
Fig. 49 Driver restrained by a properly
positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Correctly fastened seat be ...
Other materials:
Automatic gearbox: selecting a gear
Fig. 111 Left-hand drive vehicles: selector
lever for automatic gearbox with lock button (arrow)
Fig. 112 Right-hand drive vehicles: selector
lever for automatic gearbox with lock button (arrow)
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings The selector lever is ...
Opening and closing the bonnet
Fig. 134 A: release lever in the footwell
on the driver side. B: release lever on the bonnet
Fig. 135 C: holder for the bonnet stay
in the lock carrier. D: bonnet secured with the bonnet stay
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warningsOpening the bonnet
Ensu ...
Brake fluid
Fig. 117 In the engine compartment: cap
on the brake fluid container
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings Brake fluid will gradually absorb water
from the surrounding air. The brake system will be damaged if there is too much
water in the brake fluid. T ...
