Supplemental Restraint Precautions

Using Seat Belts During Pregnancy

A seat belt should always be worn during pregnancy. The best way to protect your unborn child is to protect yourself by always wearing your seat belt.

Pregnant women should always wear the lap and shoulder seat belt. Position the shoulder belt across the chest, between the breasts and away from your neck. Position the lap belt under the abdomen and pull the lap portion so that it fits SNUGLY across the hips and pelvic bone, below the rounded part of your abdomen.

WARNING

• A pregnant woman is more vulnerable to any impact to the abdomen in a sudden stop or collision. If you are involved in an accident while pregnant, consult your doctor.
• To reduce the risk of serious injury or death to the unborn child in a collision, do not allow pregnant women to position the lap portion of the seat belt above or over the abdomen where the unborn child is located.

Seat belts and children

Infants and Small Children

All 50 states have child restraint system laws that require children to travel in approved child restraint devices, including boosters. The age at which seat belts may be used instead of a child restraint system may vary, so you should know the specific requirements in your state of travel. Infant and child restraint systems must be properly positioned and installed in the rear seat.

For more information, refer to the Child Restraint Systems section in this chapter.

WARNING

Always properly secure infants and small children in a child restraint system that matches the child's height and weight.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death to the child and other passengers, never hold a child on your lap or in your arms while the vehicle is moving. The violent force of a collision will tear the child from your arms and throw the child inside or out of the vehicle.

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly secured in a child restraint system on the rear seat. The child restraint system must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Before buying any child restraint system, make sure it has a label confirming that it meets the applicable safety standards. The child restraint system must be suitable for your child's height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint system for this information.

Refer to the "Child Restraint Systems" section in this chapter.

Older children

Children under 13 years of age and persons who are too large for a booster seat must always ride in the rear seat and use the lap/shoulder belt. The lap belt must fit snugly across the hips, and the shoulder belt must fit snugly across the shoulder and chest to hold the child securely. A child may move or squirm, causing the belt to slip out of position. Adults must check the belt fit frequently. In a collision, the rear seat is the safest place for children when a child restraint system suitable for the child is used.

If a larger child over 13 years of age must ride in the front seat, the child must be held securely by the seat belt, and the seat must be moved to the rearmost position.

If the shoulder belt portion touches the child's neck or face, try positioning the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck, the child must return to a suitable booster seat on the rear seat.

WARNING

• Always make sure the child's seat belts are fastened and properly adjusted.
• Never allow the shoulder belt to touch the child's neck or face.
• Do not allow more than one child to use a single seat belt.

Using Seat Belts and Injured Persons

The seat belt should be used when transporting an injured person. Consult a physician for specific recommendations.

One person per belt

When two persons (children or adults) are sitting together, never attempt to use one seat belt for both. This may increase the severity of injuries in a collision.

Do not recline

Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving can be dangerous. Even when belted, the protection provided by the safety systems (seat belts and/or airbags) is significantly reduced when the seatback is reclined.

Seat belts must fit snugly against the hips and chest to work properly.

In a collision, you may be thrown into the seat belt, resulting in neck or other injuries.

The more the seatback is reclined, the greater the chance for the occupant's hips to slide under the lap belt, or for the occupant's neck to strike the shoulder belt.

WARNING

• Never ride with the seatback reclined when the vehicle is moving.
• Do not ride with the seatback reclined. This may increase your chances of serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision or sudden stop.
• The driver and all passengers must always sit upright in their seats, properly belted, with seatbacks in the upright position.