AUTONEWS

Four simple habits inside cars that save lives and many ignore...

Not everyone reads vehicle manuals carefully. These manuals contain a series of safety instructions that indicate what should be avoided inside the car, to avoid more serious accidents.

Actions that seem harmless can have serious consequences, and if avoided, save lives. With this in mind, Mundoquatrorodas listed some of these actions to warn drivers and passengers.

Below, learn about four dangerous habits that you should avoid in a vehicle, both when driving and in the passenger seat:

-Putting your feet on the dashboard...Although it is a common practice, putting your feet on the dashboard can be extremely dangerous.

In the event of an accident, the airbag can cause serious leg fractures due to the force of the impact.

Vehicle manuals, such as the one for the Volkswagen Nivus, warn you never to obstruct the airbag activation area, identified by the word “airbag”.

The Volkswagen Nivus manual recommends: “Always keep your feet in the area designed for the feet while driving. Never place your feet on the seat or dashboard and never keep your feet outside the vehicle. Otherwise, the airbag and seat belt may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in an accident.”

-Reclining the seat back too much with the seat belt buckled... Reclining the seat excessively, especially with the seat belt buckled, can be fatal in an accident.

The tragic case of soccer player Dener (a Brazilian soccer player), who died due to this practice, highlights the risk involved.

Vehicle manuals, such as the one for the Hyundai HB20, recommend keeping the seat back in a position that ensures the effectiveness of the seat belt and airbags.

The Hyundai HB20 manual advises: “Never travel with the seat back reclined when the vehicle is in motion.”

-Using a child seat in the front seat with the airbag active...Transporting children under ten years of age in the front seat is prohibited, unless the vehicle has only two seats and the airbag is deactivated.

The force of the airbag can cause fatal injuries to children.

Manuals such as the Honda Fit emphasize the importance of deactivating the airbag when a rear-facing child seat is installed in the front seat.

The Honda Fit manual states: “Do not place a rear-facing child restraint system on a seat with an active airbag. If it is unavoidable to install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat, deactivate the airbag manually using the key.”

-Taking your foot off the brake when activating the ABS...The ABS system, which has been mandatory since 2014, prevents the wheels from locking during sudden braking.

When the ABS is operating, the brake pedal can vibrate, and many drivers end up easing their foot off the brake, which compromises the effectiveness of the system.

Manuals such as the Honda Fit recommend maintaining firm pressure on the pedal.

The Honda Fit manual advises: “Never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS do its job by maintaining firm and constant pressure on the pedal. The vibrations you feel are normal. Continue braking and do not release pressure on the pedal unless you want to reduce or abort braking.”

Adopting safe driving habits can make all the difference in protecting your life and the lives of others. Stay alert and drive safely.

Mundoquatrorodas