Improperly Worn Seatbelt

[SammyCal1]

Does anyone know of any information regarding the detriments of wearing a seatbelt under the armpit instead of wearing it properly across the chest and collar bone?

Thanks,

Sammy

[OffDuty]

Obviously it is being incorrectly worn, but you know that.. Not sure if any of this helps, but I think #2 may be a good explanation of what youre after?

http://www.buckleupnc.org/using_belts.cfm

[pkagel]

Speaking purely from a physics standpoint you would be lowering the pivot point on your body allowing your head to lash fwd and back a much further distance thereby creating much greater trauma to the brain and spine.

[SammyCal1]

I know that it's dangerous and could cause injuries to the ribs and no longer hold the upper body in the proper position, but I am looking for documented information supporting this. Does anyone know where to find it???

Sammy

[pkagel]

Well, how about this then.

http://www.carsp.ca/belt_use.htm
http://www.carsp.ca/belt_use.htm#references

[Dudley DoRight]

It will apply force to the fragile ribs and smash them, driving broken pieces into the heart & lungs...instead of apreading the force over the larger bones of the upper body. One crash I investigated resulted in 6 broken splintered ribs being driven into exactly those areas. Lady was very lucky to survive. She didn't like wearing it as designed because it felt "uncomfortable". Had owner the car several years & in all that time never attempted to install anything to increase the comfort. I write them all the time for it here. Failing to wear seat belt "properly adjusted". It's a shoulder strap...not an armpit strap dummy!!!

[marshaldan]

It fits the statute. These things are poorly designed and tall people would break their neck on a cross shoulder harness, not to mention the rubbing.
I installed a 4 pt. Hooker harness in mine with the reel so that you can reach for things. It is bolted to the frame and roll bar, which is bolted to the frame with grade 8 bolts..
I have had broken ribs. I wear my vest.

[UPNYPO]

NJ Seatbelt

I know that it's dangerous and could cause injuries to the ribs and no longer hold the upper body in the proper position, but I am looking for documented information supporting this. Does anyone know where to find it???

Sammy

You can find your answer in the NJ Title 39 Handbook. It explains the proper use of seatbelts...among everything else for V&T in NJ

[SgtScott31]

I know that it's dangerous and could cause injuries to the ribs and no longer hold the upper body in the proper position, but I am looking for documented information supporting this. Does anyone know where to find it???

Sammy

Why need documentation? It's common sense more than anything. I've been an instructor in vehicle extrication/rescue for the last 5 years. It is damn obvious what happens to those who wear their seatbelt improperly or fail to wear it at all.