2023 Australasian Road Safety Conference

Description

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the evidence on the effectiveness of seat belts to prevent deaths of pregnant females and their foetus following a motor vehicle crash. From the 656 papers identified, 18 studies of real-world crashes were included (n=41,921 pregnant females). A meta-analysis of data from seven studies (n=14,221 pregnant females) showed that wearing a seat belt was generally protective for both the pregnant female and their foetus in a motor vehicle crash. However, when the pregnant female died the foetus also died. Configuration of standard seat belts (three-point, lap belt) across the pregnant abdomen generates load bearing forces that can directly contribute to fatal injury of the foetus in a crash. While modified seat belts for pregnant females have been developed, the safety and acceptability of these devices has not been established through crash tests using a pregnant crash test dummy.

Period	19 Sept 2023
Event type	Conference
Location	Cairns, Australia, QueenslandShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National