As Americans have grown larger - 25 pounds for the average adult since 1960, according to the National Center for Health Statistics-government seat belt standards have remained the same since they were first implemented over 40 years ago. In California, more than 50 percent of adults are overweight or obese, according to a recent report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Many obese drivers cannot find belts that fit, so they don't wear them, thereby increasing their risk of personal injury during an accident, and leading safety advocates and lawyers to support a revision of the country's seat belt safety standards.
According to a new study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, morbidly obese drivers have a 56 percent increased risk of dying from injury in a serious car accident compared to drivers of a normal weight. Additionally, even moderately obese drivers have a 21 percent greater chance of a fatal accident. The results of a survey recently published in the journal Obesity suggest low seat-belt use may be a contributing factor, as only 70 percent of obese drivers reported that they always wore a seat belt. Failing to wear a seat belt not only increases a driver's risk of personal injury, but could also lead to expensive tickets; according to one California lawyer, an adult seat belt violation in that state will cost a driver $142.
In 2003, 38 million Americans were larger than the seat belt measurements with which manufacturers were required to comply, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, to consider accommodating drivers heavier than 215 pounds, the longtime standard. Fortunately, even though NHTSA made no design revisions, many automakers did, offering larger seat belts and extenders as options.
Accounting for the entire population when testing and designing vehicles, such as using test dummies that represent underweight, normal, and overweight or obese drivers, is one change that could improve safety. At present, vehicles are only tested with dummies representing people in the normal-weight category.
In the meantime, selecting a vehicle that fits one's size is very important. Here are a few tips to consider when buying a car:
• Always try to buy a full size sedan or truck that will allow for complete extension of the legs. This will prevent leg cramping and pain from pressure on the midsection.
• Look for a vehicle with a tilt steering wheel. This will allow for adjustments so that the midsection does not interfere with driving. Ideally, a driver's midsection should be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.
• Seat belt extenders should fit properly; otherwise, they could cause injuries during an accident.
The safety of the entire population should be considered when the government sets new standards for automakers. Hopefully, whether as a result of legislation or of consumer demand, obese Americans will be better accounted for in the future.