Three-point seatbelt maternal comfort and fetal safety

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study that evaluated the comfort and safety of three-point seatbelt use by pregnant women. Comfort was assessed by developing and administering a survey. Two hundred responses revealed high levels of discomfort due to the lap belt riding up onto the abdomen (64.5 per cent), the edges of the lap belt rubbing on the abdomen and thighs (61.5 per cent), compression of breasts by the torso belt (48 per cent) and the lap belt being too tight or too short (50 per cent).

Evaluating seatbelt safety for the fetus was accomplished by reviewing case studies involving pregnant crash victims as well as baboon crash test results. Additionally, computer simulations, modelling a 35 mile/h collision with a pregnant woman in a three-point restraint, were developed. The simulations were used to predict fetal movement and acceleration behaviour relative to the mother. Fetal acceleration was found to reach values nearly 3 times greater than maternal acceleration, offering justification as to why a fetus might die as a result of abruptio placentae or skull injury.