'any device that is designed to secure a driver or passenger in the seat during an accident has to be of paramount importance," said auto mechanic David Jones.

The St Andrew-based mechanic with more than 30 years experience said using these restraining devices reduces the chance of death or serious injury.

"When the devices are used, the passengers become part and parcel of the car," he said.

There are three types of restraint devices - active, passive and child seats.

The seat belts that have to be buckled are called active restraints.

These belts must be adjusted properly to give maximum protection. The lower belt should fit snugly across the hips.

protection

The passive restraints include such mechanisms as air bags and automatic seatbelts which do the same work as active restraints without the need for car occupants to take any action. The air bags inflates instantly when a car hits an object and then deflates after the collision. The automatic seatbelt fastens in place as each front-seat occupant enters the car and closes the door.

Child seats are of vital importance too. When infants or small children ride in cars, they usually have little or no protection.

"A driver should always make sure small passengers ride in properly-installed and approved child seats," said Kenute Hare, director of the Road Safety Unit.

If there is no child seat, the child should be buckled into a backseat seat belt.

Other protective devices worthy of note are:

Head restraints: These are padded areas on the front seats to protect occupants when the car is hit from the rear.

Front and rear crush areas: Modern motor vehicles have crush areas that increase passenger protection in head-on and rear-end collisions.

Padded dash and interior: These exposed areas are padded and knobs are recessed.

Energy-absorbing steering wheel and column: Both are designed by the manufacturers to give under impact.

Energy-absorbing windshield: In this case, a plastic sheet between the two sheets of glass in a windshield helps to prevent heads from going through the windshield.

Side-door beams: The beams inside the car doors reduce the ability of another car to penetrate the passenger compartment.

- Paul Messam

Securing your

wagon

Continued from g1

She is positive though that she wants to arrive in a white Audi A4.

"The Audi says it all. A new Audi just says, hi, I just got married!," she said.

She explained that this luxury vehicle requires no decorations, no trailing cans, only a 'Just Married' sign.

Douglas confessed to have done her homework, by identifying both car and driver.

In minimising costs, some persons may ask friends or family to chauffeur while others pull out all the stops for this memorable event.

At the St Andrew-based Century Limousine Service, a high-end standard three-hour wedding package includes an eight-seater Lincoln Continental stretch limo.

the luxuries

Administrative assistant Sheryl Williams said the car has a refrigerator stocked with either champagne and water, non-alcoholic wine and water, or juice and water.

The cars include a DVD and CD player. There is also an AM/FM radio and a privacy panel which separates the chauffeur from the passengers.

The administrative assistant said another option was the intimate three-seater Lincoln Continental Town car.

"Sometimes people really don't want the bling. It's spacious and it's a nice car," Williams said.

A six-to-eight-seater limousine costs $40,000 upwards while the town car package begins at $25,000.

Montego Bay's Artwell Limousine Service offers similar services.

four-hour service

For their fleet, which includes Royal Classic and Lincoln limousines, a minimum four-hour service could cost $35,000. For trips to Ocho Rios and Negril, $45,000.

The packages come with a fully-stocked refrigerator with refreshments and snacks.

"People still go all out for limousines even if it means to beg family members if they can't afford it," said Kerene Smalling, an 11-year employee at Artwell Limousine Service.

"Since the (decline in the) economy, business has slowed but people still use limousines, even for funerals," she said.

Smalling said while these services cater to all age groups, it was more popular among younger people.

A standard ride takes the bride and an optional bridal party to the ceremony, to a location for photographs and to the reception. The couple can pay an additional cost to drive off in the sunset.