The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to women to ensure that they are wearing their seat belts correctly when driving or as a passenger in a vehicle. Research carried out by independent research company Behaviour & Attitudes for the RSA, found that 26% of women admitted to previously having worn the shoulder strap of their seat belt under their arm rather than on their shoulder.
Of those surveyed who wear their seat belt under arm, 11% do so always or often and 32% indicate that their female friends wear their seat belt under their arm at least sometimes. Placing the shoulder strap of the seat belt under your arm leaves your upper torso — including your neck, face and head — completely unrestrained during a collision. In such a situation you would be exposed to horrific injury.
The research showed that the main reasons for putting the seat belt under the arm were to relieve neck irritation. If you are wearing your seat belt incorrectly it will provide little or no protection in the event of a crash.
