Question: I’m pregnant and I’ve seen seat belt attachments that clip under the seat and say they make belts safer for pregnant people. Are these safe to use?

Answer: I contacted the expert who is the Community Programs and Occupant Protection Manager for the Minnesota Safety Council and here is what I was advised.

Seat belt adjusters, also called seat belt positioners, are devices that try to move the lap belt so it doesn’t rest across a pregnant person’s belly. Manufacturers claim this reduces pressure and keeps the baby safe in a crash.

These devices are not safe and should not be used.

Experts tested these devices using crash test dummies designed to represent pregnant drivers.

Plastic hooks broke completely in crashes.

Metal hooks or extra straps pressed on the dummy’s belly or

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