Car travel during pregnancySee also:-Infant car seats -Toddler car seats -Booster seats for older children -Car safety standards It may feel uncomfortable to wear a safety belt during pregnancy. It is very important, however, that you wear your seat belt whenever you travel, throughout your pregnancy. Not doing so places the life of both the mother and the unborn child in danger. The use of a seat belt reduces the risk of injury to the mother during a car crash by 90 percent, and the risk of injury to the unborn child by 70 percent. It is not only important that you wear a seat belt, however, but also that it is fastened correctly. Correct use of the safety belt during pregnancy 
The correct way to fasten the safety belt is to position the shoulder belt so that it crosses your
chest between your breasts. The lap belt should be placed under your stomach as low on your hips
as possible. Ensure that the belt is pulled tight. The position of the seat is also important.
Adjust the seat so that it is positioned as far from the steering wheel as you are able to sit
without having to adjust your sitting position while driving. You should also sit as upright as
possible throughout your pregnancy. Towards the end of the pregnancy it may be risky to sit behind the steering wheel, particularly if it has an airbag. If possible, pregnant women should travel as passengers during pregnancy, with as much distance between the stomach and the dashboard as possible. Ineffective safety products for pregnant women There are a number of products on the market that claim to make car travel safer and more comfortable during pregnancy. Studies conducted on these products have revealed that they are worthless from a car safety perspective. The products are simply too weak to withstand the forces produced in a car crash. There are however women who say that these products do indeed make car travel more comfortable during pregnancy. If this leads pregnant women to wear a safety belt more often, the products may indirectly be making a significant contribution to car safety. See also: -Infant car seats -Toddler car seats -Booster seats for older children -Car safety standards |
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