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.


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    Title :

    Three-point seatbelt maternal comfort and fetal safety


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2002-03-01


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Three-point seatbelt maternal comfort and fetal safety

    Thackray,L.A. / Blackketter,D.M. / Univ.of Idaho,US | Automotive engineering | 2002


    Three-point seatbelt maternal comfort and fetal safety

    Thackray, L.A. | Online Contents | 2002


    Three-point seatbelt maternal comfort and fetal safety

    Thackray, L.A. / Blackketter, D.M. | Tema Archive | 2002


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