HONDA 2001 Passport - Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 302)

To help automobile occupants survive the
tremendos forces of a crash, vehicle
designers have developed numerous safety
features and systems.
For example, modern automobiles have
front and rear "crush zones" that are
designed to deform or crumple in a crash.
The crumpling lengthens the duration of the
crash, and helps absorb and dissipate crash
energy, which lowers the rate of deceleration
in the passenger compartment.
The dashboard, seats, headrests and other
interior parts of automobiles also use energy-
absorbing materials to help protect the
occupants. In addition, the steering column is
designed to collapse if struck during a
collision.
Seat belts have proven to be the single
most effective device in reducing automobile
fatalities and injuries in all types of accidents.
When properly worn, seat belts help restrain
occupants from striking interior parts of the
car, they keep occupants connected to the car
so they can take advantage of the energy
absorption built into the car, and they
allow occupants to decelerate more slowly
during a crash.
Airbags are a recent addition to a
car's occupant protection system. Airbags
have an important but limited role—to
help protect the heads and chests of
front-seat occupants during a severe
frontal collision.
However, you can't get the full
benefit of these life-saving features
unless you buckle up. In short, it's better
to let the car absorb the energy. It's built
to take it.
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