Baby on Board: safe driving for mothers-to-be

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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

03 March 2010

 Awkward but necessary, driving while pregnant can be an uncomfortable experience. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) advises mothers-to-be on how to drive safely and comfortably.

Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “It seems obvious, but we do urge pregnant women to keep wearing their seatbelts while driving.

“The steering wheel hitting the abdomen is the main danger for pregnant drivers in a collision, and the seatbelt is the only thing stopping the driver flying forward.”

Mr Rodger added: “A lot of women don’t like the way belts feel and, without realising the danger, let the shoulder strap or the lap belt ride up into the middle of the abdomen.”

The law requires you to wear a seatbelt, even if you’re pregnant, and wearing a seatbelt while pregnant will not harm your baby - in fact the risk of injury could be reduced by up to 70 per cent if you are involved in a crash.

How to wear it:

  • Wear the lap strap below your bump, as low as possible, from hip-bone to hip-bone.
  • Keep the diagonal strap between your breasts, moving the strap around the side of your bump.
  • Adjust the fit to be as snug as comfortably possible.
  • You can push the seat back, as long as you adjust your mirrors accordingly and can reach the brake, accelerator and clutch. You can buy after-market pedal extenders for this purpose. Being an extra three inches away from the steering wheel makes a lot of difference in an accident.

Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said “The RCOG supports the advice set out in the NICE Antenatal Care Guideline on the use of seatbelts in pregnancy. Correct use of seatbelts by pregnant women is important, as incorrect use can cause harm to the fetus and fail to protect the woman in the case of an accident. Pregnant women should use three-point seatbelts above and below the bump, not over it". 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

NICE Antenatal Care Guideline

http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG62

Media contacts:

IAM Press Office – 020 8996 9777

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iam.org.uk

ENDS ALL 

  1. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) directly influences the driving and riding of more than 100,000 full members in the UK and Ireland. Established in 1956, the IAM is today best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving course, which is available to car, motorcycle and commercial licence holders. The IAM has grown to become the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to raising driving standards, engaging with the road-using public and influencing road safety policy.  The commercial division of the IAM operates through occupational driver training companies IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive.
  2. A 2006 report by Brunel University, following an 18 month study, concluded that “advanced driver training produces safer drivers and lower accident involvement”, with measurable improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude.
  3. In January 2007, the IAM Motoring Trust was established as the Policy and Research Division to undertake research, promote practical policies, act as an advocate for safer roads, safer drivers and safer vehicles and encourage responsible motoring through education and training.