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5.8.3 Seat Belts - Pregnant Women
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Pregnant women must also wear seat belts. Consult your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn snugly and as low as possible over the hips. The shoulder
belt should be worn across your shoulder, but never across the stomach area.
When worn properly, the seat belt will protect both the mother and the foetus in an
accident or emergency stop.
A pregnant woman should never wear the seat belt across the stomach area.
This could lead to serious injuries to the foetus and/or the pregnant mother.
Never ride with the seat back reclined so that the seat belt is no longer resting
against your chest. The seat belt provides maximum protection in a frontal or
rear collision when the occupants are sitting up straight and well back in the
seats. If you are reclined excessively, the lap portion of the belt may slide past
hips and apply restraining forces directly to the abdomen, or the shoulder
portion of the belt may contact the neck. The more the seat is reclined, the
greater the risk of serious injury.
Never wear twisted seat belts. Excessive forces will be transferred from the
belt to the wearer, in a collision, resulting in serious personal injury.
Each seat belt is meant for use by one person only. Using one seat belt for
more than one person at a time is dangerous. The seat belt will not be able to
spread the impact forces properly leading to serious injuries.
Never put a belt around a child being carried on the occupant's lap. This could
lead to serious injuries. The child may be crushed in an accident or emergency
stop.
5.8.4 Seat Belt Usage is Necessary to:
•
Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle
•
Reduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident
•
Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle
Children who are too large for child restraint systems should always occupy the rear
seat and use the vehicle seat belts. The lap portion should be fastened snug on the
hips and as low as possible and the shoulder strap should be across the child's
shoulder, not the neck or face. If you are unable to position the strap across the
child's shoulder, the child should remain in a booster seat. Frequently check the seat
belt to be sure it remains snug and in position. A squirming child could cause the
seat belt to come out of position.
SEATS AND SEAT BELTS
