200 lives a year would be saved if all pregnant women wore seatbelts

The myth that pregnant women should avoid wearing seatbelts because they may be unsafe for unborn children has been debunked by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan. The study found that about 200 unborn babies would be saved each year if expectant women properly buckled up every time they get in a car.

“It’s very clear, based on this study, that pregnant women should buckle up every single time they’re in a vehicle,” says senior author Mark D. Pearlman, M.D., vice-chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the U-M Health System. An estimated 370 fetuses die as a result of car crashes each year in the United States.

Read more about this important study on our Cars blog including tips for keeping expectant mothers safe from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.