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Pregnancy comes with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to safety. One of the most common is whether it’s safe (or necessary) to wear a seat belt. The answer is simple: yes, always. In fact, wearing your seat belt properly is the single most effective way to protect both you and your baby in a crash.
We’re following guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help break down what safe seat belt use looks like during pregnancy.
Do You Need to Wear a Seat Belt While Pregnant?
Yes, at every stage of pregnancy you should wear a seatbelt.
NHTSA states that pregnant drivers and passengers should always buckle up. Skipping the seat belt puts both you and your unborn baby at serious risk. Without a seatbelt, you could be thrown into the vehicle interior, collide with other passengers, or be ejected from the vehicle.
What About Air Bags? Are They Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, always keep the airbags on.
Air bags are safe to use during pregnancy and do not increase the risk of injury to yourself or baby. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. Turning them off can increased risk of injury.
How to Properly Wear a Seat Belt While Pregnant
As your body changes, the way your seat belt fits will too. A few small adjustments can make a big difference in both comfort and safety.
Lap Belt Placement
Position the lap belt below your belly. Fit it snugly across your hips and pelvic bone.
Shoulder Belt Placement
Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest. Keep it off your neck, but on your shoulder. Be sure to remove any slack, so that it is lying flat against your body.
For an extra boost in comfort, take a look at the quick demo below. There’s a bonus tip included that’s simple but can make a real difference. Watch it here.
Should You Adjust Your Seat?
Yes. Positioning matters and will help to keep you safe and comfortable:
Sit in an upright position. Keep as much distance as possible between your belly and the steering wheel. Make sure you can still comfortably reach the pedals and wheel. Avoid reclining too far, which can create slack in the seat belt.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Crash
Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention immediately after any crash. This applies whether you were the driver or a passenger, regardless of the severity of the accident. Even minor crashes can cause internal injuries that aren’t immediately obvious, so a quick check-up helps make sure both you and your baby are safe.
Why This Matters
If you’re pregnant, making sure you know how to position your seat and wear a seat belt maximizes your safety, and the safety of your unborn child.
Car crashes are a leading cause of injury during pregnancy, but proper seat belt use dramatically reduces the risk. Small adjustments in how you sit and buckle up can make a life-saving difference.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
While wearing your seat belt correctly is critical, being prepared for the unexpected is just as important. In an emergency, having immediate access to identification and critical medical information can make all the difference.
The ROTH ID Traveler Tag is a simple way to keep emergency contacts and important medical details easily accessible when you’re on the go. Once your baby arrives, the ROTH ID TAG offers that same level of protection for your child, ensuring their information is readily available to first responders when it matters most. Together, they help keep your emergency contacts accessible for both you and your baby, adding an extra layer of confidence wherever life takes you.
Megan Whitaker, CPST
Megan Whitaker is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and the Social Media Manager for ROTH ID TAG. Her work focuses on child safety, emergency identification, and practical preparedness for families. Through her role with ROTH ID TAG, she helps educate parents and communities about the importance of having clear, accessible information available in emergency situations. Megan is committed to sharing straightforward, reliable guidance that supports families in making informed safety decisions in everyday life. In her free time, she enjoys staying active at the gym and attending concerts and live music events.
The ROTH ID TAG was created after tragedy struck our own family.
On December 23, 2022, Julie Roth, beloved wife and mother, was traveling with her two small children when they were caught up in a 47+ vehicle pile-up on the Ohio Turnpike. Julie and Edna Rose, the baby she was carrying, did not survive, but her two other children did.
Injured and afraid, Julie’s two toddlers waited many hours to see a familiar face while emergency responders worked to identify them and contact their father, who was at work. Thankfully, Ayla and Rory Roth are alive and well today. They are the true reason for the ROTH ID TAG creation.
