Sick to death of struggling with a seat belt that is too tight or, worse, doesn’t reach around you at all? Don’t curse your lovely roundness. Read on.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lap and shoulder seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45%. Seat belts are the most effective way to reduce fatalities and serious injuries during automobile crashes.

With the exception of New Hampshire, every state in the United States has laws requiring the use of seat belts by adults. Alabama, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and the Virgin Islands, all have seat belt laws that have been upgraded to “primary,” meaning a citation can be written whenever a policeman sees you in a moving car without a seat belt (as of January 2001). The rest of the states and territories provide for “secondary” enforcement, meaning an officer can’t stop you for not using seat belts, but can issue a citation for not doing so if you are stopped for another reason.

While some people haven’t gotten with the program, it is estimated that approximately 70% of car drivers and occupants nationwide buckle up. (In California the number is closer to 90%.) However, many who want to buckle up can’t. Seat belts often don’t fit the larger driver.

NHTSA and federal regulations demand only that belts fits a crash dummy equivalent of a person 6' tall and 215 pounds (the 95th percentile male of 1988). The 95th percentile male of today is 256 pounds; the female is 226 pounds. These figures vary between ethnic groups but, let me tell you, they vary a lot more in my home and most others. Being a goddess has never really been a job for the skinny women of the world; it takes serious poundage to fulfill the standards. However, we goddess’ and our big hunky male counterparts aren’t being protected in our cars.

Using a seat belt is not only safer, it is the law. So why don’t some auto manufacturers see fit to provide protection for drivers of all sizes? This isn’t a case of people being too big; this is about standard seat belts being inadequate. While some people and organizations are working to change attitudes of government and auto manufacturers about the comfort and safety of big people in cars, what can be done right now?

We shouldn’t have to ask for adequate length in seat belts. We certainly shouldn’t be in a position of having to drive without protection. Here are a couple of better-than-nothing solutions.

The seat belt straps in your car can be replaced (at your expense) with longer ones at auto body garages and seat belt centers. There can be limitations depending on the design of your belts and adding length may alter the effectiveness of the belt.

The other option is obtaining a seat belt extender. These are available, usually at no charge, from many car manufacturers. No tests have been done to determine the safety of these extenders, but it is surely safer to use an extender rather than go beltless. Call your local car dealer to inquire about availability and cost, if any.

It may be possible to find an extender that fits your car from outside sources if none are available from your dealer, but be careful. One company, Salesco, sells what they term a “universal” extender. Don’t be duped. Because of the variety in design of latches, it is impossible to have a one-style-fits-all extender. If you deal with a company offering such a product, ask them specifically about your car’s year, make, and model. Then be sure they have a good return policy.

You can also put on a little attitude yourself and contact the manufacturer of your car if they aren’t attentive to your needs. Don’t forget - this isn’t about your being too big for the belts, it’s about the belts being inadequate. Car manufacturers are more than happy to sell you a car. They owe you safety.

The following car companies choose to not make seat belt extenders available for their cars. Let them know you don’t appreciate their lack of concern about your life and safety.

Acura - 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501-2746; Phone 800 382-2238; Web Site: www.acura.com

Audi - Audi of America, 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326; Phone 800 822-2834; Web Site: www.audiusa.com

BMW (customized seat belts available) - BMW of North America, LLC, 300 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675; Phone 800 831-1117; Web Site: www.bmwusa.com

Honda - Koichi Amemiya, President, American Honda Motor Company, 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501-2746; Phone 800 999-1009

Hyundai - www.hyundai-motor.com/index.html - Consumer Affairs, Hyundai Motor America, 10550 Talbert Avenue, P.O. Box 20850, Fountain Valley, CA 92728-0850; 800 633-5151

Jaguar (customized seat belts available) - Jaguar Cars, 555 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430-2327, Attn: Customer Relationship Center; Phone 800-4.JAGUAR; Web Site: www.us.jaguar.com/

Kia - Kia Motors America, Inc., 800 333-4kia;  Web Site: www.kia.com

Land Rover - (customized seat belts available) - Phone 800 637-6837; Web Site: www.landrover.com

Mercedes-Benz - Mercedes Benz of North America, Inc., Customer Assistance Center, 1 Glenview Road, Montvale, NJ 07645; Phone 800 222-0100 or 800 367-6372; Web Site: www.mercedes-benz.com/

Porsche - Porsche Cars of North America, Inc., Manager, Owner Relations, 100 West Liberty Street, P.O. Box 30911, Reno NV; Phone 895-20-3911 or 800 545-8039; Web Site: www.porsche.com

Subaru - Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Plaza, P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000; Phone 800 782-2783; Web Site: www.subaru.com/contact/index.html

Volkswagen - Volkswagen United States, Inc., 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326; Phone 800 822-8987

Interested in getting more involved or in learning more about seat belt legislation?
Check out Elizabeth Fisher's site at www.ifisher.com.

 

A Word About Airbags

While airbags are very effective in preventing serious injury to occupants of a vehicle involved in an accident, there is one consideration that fat people should consider. In order for an airbag to be both safe and effective, the driver must be able to sit far enough back from the steering wheel so that there is 10" between the point where the airbag deploys and their breastbone. If you don't meet this qualification, you should consider getting an airbag on-off switch installed on your car. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site and read their online brochure. You have to have permission from NHTSA to have the switch installed.