Tuesday 13 January 2004 - News - Health and safety
Pregnant women 'not wearing seatbelts correctly'
Millions of pregnant
women could be putting themselves and their unborn babies' lives
at risk by failing to wear seatbelts correctly, a new study has
shown.
More than 85% of pregnant car users questioned were not following medical guidelines on how to position their seatbelts, with some not wearing safety belts at all. The research, which was carried out at Loughborough University, will now be used to inform car designers about the needs of pregnant women.
Of the 400 people questioned as part of the study, 87% were not following recommended guidelines on how to wear their seatbelts and many were holding the strap away from the body for comfort.
Dr Serpil Acar, the principal investigator of the project, said: "Recommended guidelines specify that seatbelts should be worn throughout pregnancy with the lap strap across the hips and fitting under the bump while the diagonal strap is placed between the breasts and around the bump.
"But our research reveals that most pregnant women are not aware of these guidelines or, in some cases find it impractical to follow the guidelines.
"Some pregnant women experience discomfort, they pull and hold the seatbelt away from their bodies and some do not even wear the seatbelt at all. Pregnant car users who improvise to increase comfort might be risking their lives and those of their unborn babies if in an accident."
Dr Acar added that getting in and out of the car and loading and unloading vehicles also needed careful design decisions without compromising the safety, ease and comfort of non-pregnant drivers and passengers.
Angie Bell
More than 85% of pregnant car users questioned were not following medical guidelines on how to position their seatbelts, with some not wearing safety belts at all. The research, which was carried out at Loughborough University, will now be used to inform car designers about the needs of pregnant women.
Of the 400 people questioned as part of the study, 87% were not following recommended guidelines on how to wear their seatbelts and many were holding the strap away from the body for comfort.
Dr Serpil Acar, the principal investigator of the project, said: "Recommended guidelines specify that seatbelts should be worn throughout pregnancy with the lap strap across the hips and fitting under the bump while the diagonal strap is placed between the breasts and around the bump.
"But our research reveals that most pregnant women are not aware of these guidelines or, in some cases find it impractical to follow the guidelines.
"Some pregnant women experience discomfort, they pull and hold the seatbelt away from their bodies and some do not even wear the seatbelt at all. Pregnant car users who improvise to increase comfort might be risking their lives and those of their unborn babies if in an accident."
Dr Acar added that getting in and out of the car and loading and unloading vehicles also needed careful design decisions without compromising the safety, ease and comfort of non-pregnant drivers and passengers.
Angie Bell
