Seatbelt Guidelines

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “with the exception of New Hampshire, all states and the District of Columbia require adult front-seat occupants to use seat belts. Adult rear-seat passengers also are covered by the laws in 30 states and the District of Columbia”.

NHTSA has offered guidelines on properly wearing a seatbelt which will maximize your safety

  • The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body.
  • Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
  • The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach.
  • NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm.

If you are pregnant it is especially important to follow guidelines on how you should be wearing your seatbelt. 

Follow this link for recommendations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on maximizing seat belt safety for pregnant drivers and passangers: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/pregnant-seat-belt-use.pdf