Volkswagen Touran Owners Manual: The dangers of assuming an incorrect sitting position

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

If the seat belts are not worn or are worn incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases. Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if seat belt routing is correct. An incorrect sitting position considerably impairs the level of protection provided by a seat belt. This could lead to severe or even fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position. The driver is responsible for all vehicle passengers, especially if they are children.

The following list contains examples of sitting positions which could be dangerous for all occupants.

Whenever the vehicle is in motion:

• Never stand in the vehicle.

• Never stand on the seats.

• Never kneel on the seats.

• Never tilt your backrest too far to the rear.

• Never lean against the dash panel.

• Never lie on the seats in the passenger compartment.

• Never sit on the front edge of a seat.

• Never sit sideways.

• Never lean out of a window.

• Never put your feet out of a window.

• Never put your feet on the dash panel.

• Never place your feet on the seat cushion or seat backrest.

• Never travel in a footwell.

• Never sit on the armrest.

• Never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt.

• Never travel in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

• All vehicle occupants must maintain a correct sitting position and be properly belted in while the vehicle is in motion.

• Sitting in an incorrect position, failure to fasten the seat belt or too short a distance to the airbag exposes the occupants to critical or fatal injuries, especially if the airbags deploy and strike an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position.