A few weeks ago I took my car into a service center to get a belt replaced. When an employee for the shop called to say my vehicle was ready to be picked up I automatically asked, “Is everything okay?” He replied dryly, “Your car’s fine, but the mechanic who worked on it was impaled by your steering wheel.” I had to laugh. I knew exactly what he was referring to—-my small stature, and the fact that I drive with my seat smack up to the steering wheel to reach the pedals.
I chuckled then, but shortly after that exchange I learned that when it comes to shorter adults (I’m just under 5-feet, 4-inches tall) and airbag safety—the issue is no laughing matter. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently issued new safety tips regarding vehicle airbags, small-stature adults, and pregnant drivers.
Advice For Shorter Adults
If you are a shorter adult (under 5-feet, 4-inches) you should consider following these tips when driving a vehicle with airbags:
Upon entering the vehicle move the driver’s seat as far back as possible to allow space between your chest and the steering wheel (giving the airbag space to deploy).
If your car is equipped with a steering wheel adjuster, tilt the steering wheel down so you don’t have to sit closer to the steering wheel in order to see over it.
Consider buying pedal extenders. This will allow you to sit farther away from the steering wheel.
Prior to purchasing a new car, check the seating position. If you need to adjust the seat so that it is flush with the steering wheel, consider looking at a different vehicle.
Advice For Pregnant Women
Did you know nearly 3400 fetal deaths occur in motor vehicle accidents each year? If you are pregnant you should consider following these tips when driving a vehicle with airbags:
Never place the lap portion of the seat belt above your abdomen. Rather, the lap portion should be placed under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs.
If you are pregnant sit as far back from the airbag as possible. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recommends that pregnant women who drive should move the seat back, making sure there is as much room as possible between their abdomen and the steering wheel.
As someone who drove during the last days of her pregnancy I can attest that it is nearly impossible to position a big belly away from the steering wheel. In these cases, you should really have someone else drive.
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