Message Monday- Pregnant? Seat belt is safe for mom and baby
When you’re expecting a baby, there’s no shortage of things to worry about. Buckling up behind the wheel shouldn’t be one of those worries.
Buckling up through all stages of pregnancy is the single most effective action you can take to protect yourself and your unborn child in a crash. Your shoulder belt should be away from your neck (but not off your shoulder) and across your chest. Be sure to remove any slack from your seat belt. Never place the belt under your arm or behind your back.
Getting safely comfortable in the car might mean an adjustment to your seat position:
- If you’re the driver, keep as much distance as possible between your belly and the steering wheel. Avoid letting your belly touch the steering wheel. You should be able to comfortably reach the steering wheel and pedals.
- Choose a comfortable, upright position. To minimize the gap between your shoulder and the seat belt, avoid reclining your seat more than necessary. If you need additional room, consider adjusting the steering wheel or having someone else drive, if possible.
- If you’re a passenger, move your seat back as far as possible.
To find out more about seat belt use during pregnancy, go to https://zerofatalitiesiowa.com/buckleup.aspx
So far in 2021, there have been 82 deaths in traffic crashes. That is an increase of six since last Monday. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf