Black plate (13,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012Seats and Restraints 3-13WARNING (Continued)It is extremely dangerous toride in a cargo area, inside oroutside of a vehicle. In a collision,passengers riding in these areasare more likely to be seriouslyinjured or killed. Do not allowpassengers to ride in any area ofthe vehicle that is not equippedwith seats and safety belts.Always wear a safety belt, andcheck that all passenger(s) arerestrained properly too.This vehicle has indicators as areminder to buckle the safety belts.See Safety Belt Reminders onpage 518.Why Safety Belts WorkWhen riding in a vehicle, you travelas fast as the vehicle does. If thevehicle stops suddenly, you keepgoing until something stops you.It could be the windshield, theinstrument panel, or the safety belts!When you wear a safety belt, youand the vehicle slow down together.There is more time to stop becauseyou stop over a longer distance and,when worn properly, your strongestbones take the forces from thesafety belts. That is why wearingsafety belts makes such goodsense.Questions and Answers AboutSafety BeltsQ: Will I be trapped in the vehicleafter a crash if I am wearing asafety belt?A: You could be— whether you arewearing a safety belt or not.Your chance of being consciousduring and after a crash, so youcan unbuckle and get out, ismuch greater if you are belted.Q: If my vehicle has airbags,why should I have to wearsafety belts?A: Airbags are supplementalsystems only; so they work withsafety belts— not instead ofthem. Whether or not an airbagis provided, all occupants stillhave to buckle up to get themost protection.Also, in nearly all states and inall Canadian provinces, the lawrequires wearing safety belts.