title: Effects of seat belts worn by pregnant drivers during low-impact collisions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to understand the injury mechanisms of pregnant drivers and associated fetal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frontal and rear impact tests using a dummy representing the anthropometry of a pregnant woman were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In frontal impact tests without a seat belt, abdominal pressure peaked at the point where the dummy contacted the steering wheel. Rear impact tests without a seat belt showed that the dummy moved forward because of rebound and contacted the steering wheel, which was avoided when a seat belt was worn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wearing a seat belt reduces abdominal pressure or prevents contact with the steering wheel during collisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Motozawa
authors.forename: Masahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hitosugi
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokudome
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000592:standards*