The majority of pregnant women are not wearing car seatbelts correctly, according to research at Loughborough University. Of the 400 expectant mothers who took part in the government funded project, 87% are not positioning their seatbelts correctly.
Recommended guidelines specify seatbelts should be worn throughout pregnancy with the lap strap across the hips and fitting under the bump, with the diagonal strap between the breasts and around the bump.
 |  Pregnant car users might be risking their lives and those of their unborn babies  |
Dr Serpil Acar, the principal investigator of the research, says some women hold the seatbelt away from their bodies or do not wear one at all. "Pregnant car users who improvise to increase comfort might be risking their lives and those of their unborn babies in case of an accident," he said.
The research will be used by car designers to incorporate the needs of pregnant women.
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