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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be pissed off with seatbelts?

137 replies

TheAverageJoanne · 01/08/2023 12:51

I'm clearly doing something wrong as in every car I've had I'm strangled by my seatbelt. It always seems to ride up and find its way around my neck.

What am I doing wrong?

OP posts:
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Bonfire23 · 03/08/2023 09:58

Whatsherusername · 02/08/2023 23:59

Im 5'10 (and well endowed) and the seat belt starts off between my breasts but always rides up over my left breast and ends up cutting into my neck, so im constantly tugging in back into place. However, my partner, who is 5'7 never has an issue when driving the same car. Same issues in both his and my cars

Same, 5ft 10 and 34K

Anyotherdude · 03/08/2023 09:44

KEQKEV Car Seat Belt Clip, Vehicle Seatbelt Adjuster, Universal Automobile Shoulder Neck Strap Positioner Lock Clips(2 Pack) https://amzn.eu/d/49RSrh7
might help

Georgyporky · 03/08/2023 09:41

The gadget I recommended upthread clips onto the belt close to the door post. It holds the belt away from the body (your choice of distance) for comfortable driving, but it does not prevent the belt locking in an emergency.

thecatsthecats · 03/08/2023 09:13

I am the height of the global average man, and if it helps, it still doesn't work around my massive tits.

NumberFortyNorhamGardens · 03/08/2023 09:11

In some card you can also adjust the position of the steering wheel.

YukoandHiro · 03/08/2023 08:05

You must be short like me.

Put the driver's seat to its highest setting.

GCWorkNightmare · 03/08/2023 08:04

Whatsherusername · 02/08/2023 23:59

Im 5'10 (and well endowed) and the seat belt starts off between my breasts but always rides up over my left breast and ends up cutting into my neck, so im constantly tugging in back into place. However, my partner, who is 5'7 never has an issue when driving the same car. Same issues in both his and my cars

Same. I’m 5’9” with big boobs, DH is 5’10” and no boobs.

Whatsherusername · 02/08/2023 23:59

Im 5'10 (and well endowed) and the seat belt starts off between my breasts but always rides up over my left breast and ends up cutting into my neck, so im constantly tugging in back into place. However, my partner, who is 5'7 never has an issue when driving the same car. Same issues in both his and my cars

INeedAnotherName · 02/08/2023 22:58

Interesting picture there Bertie. I notice the anchorage is very low down and behind...

BertieBotts · 02/08/2023 22:36

Please be careful with adding random things that you've bought from amazon etc to your seatbelt.

If they adjust the position of the lap belt, or put pressure on the lap belt by using it to pull the shoulder belt down, they are definitely not safe.

The best option is the seatbelt covers that make it feel less rough and help it to grip onto clothing as some people have suggested. Also of course any adjustments that can be made to the seat or the belt which are built into the car.

Agree that it's shit that safety products are made based on the average male (this also doesn't suit un-average males, though) but don't shoot yourself in the foot by making it even more unsafe.

There is now a female crash test dummy, so maybe this will improve in future:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62877930

The average female dummy on the track

The crash dummy aimed at protecting women drivers

Researchers in Sweden are close to completing an industry-first average female crash test dummy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62877930

TheAverageJoanne · 02/08/2023 22:17

Thanks for the recommendations I'll have a look tomorrow.

OP posts:
marshmallowfinder · 02/08/2023 18:10

All these gadgets people are linking to don't actually show HOW they work? Also whether they're confirmed as safe to actually attach to the seatbelt? Incidentally, years ago I wrote to the AA to ask if they had any advice on minimum chest to steering wheel distance, for safety in the event of a collision/airbags etc. The reply was 15cm from chest to wheel was the closest it should be but preferably as far away as possible. (I might contact them again to check this is still relevant actually.)

marshmallowfinder · 02/08/2023 18:05

BeaumontLivingston · 02/08/2023 16:12

I spend the journey holding it slightly down.

Very dangerous though, to do that. Hand not on the wheel and fingers probably seriously injured in a collision. I wish there was a good solution for us!

RedPony1 · 02/08/2023 16:48

I get this in my Skoda, the seatbelt on car is at lowest point. if i raise my seat the driving position is terrible, so i just go with uncomfortable neck.
My other car is a convertible sports car, the seatbelt is perfect as it comes from directly behind my shoulder and is set much lower. Shame i dont drive this one daily!

BeaumontLivingston · 02/08/2023 16:12

marshmallowfinder · 02/08/2023 14:57

Riiiiight....Still the same problem. Hasn't helped anything. It then slides up to cut across the neck.

I spend the journey holding it slightly down.

Moonmelodies · 02/08/2023 15:17

Cazzovuoi · 01/08/2023 12:58

Read Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. It’s an average sized white male’s world.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41104077

Be aware if you get the hardback, it's kinda big and maybe not suitable for many women's hands.

marshmallowfinder · 02/08/2023 14:57

BeaumontLivingston · 01/08/2023 18:56

I get in, pull the thing right out, clip it in, then adjust back to comfort from being hugely long.

What do you do?

Riiiiight....Still the same problem. Hasn't helped anything. It then slides up to cut across the neck.

MEgirl · 01/08/2023 20:31

Have you tried something like this?

Seat belt adjuster

GrumpyPanda · 01/08/2023 20:18

UndercoverCop · 01/08/2023 15:42

I'm 5'9 and fairly flat chested. I'm still a woman!!

Don't be so bloody disingenuous, nobody is trying to debate your sex. But while sex is strictly binary body type is bimodal, with two separate bell curves for men and women overlapping for large parts of the population. What Criado Perez and pp citing her are saying is that the world is designed for the AVERAGE man. Take desks - standard desk height is calculated for individuals 5'11'' tall, which is the average man but very far from the average woman (but obviously there are women that height - just a lot fewer than there are men.) I've had to get health and safety involved once when our facilities manager power tripped that no special treatment, everybody gets the same height desk.

Re seat belts - same here, had that all my life. 5'5'' so totally average - quite busty though and with relatively short legs. Belt is already known the lowest setting where it comes out of the chassis. It's partly distance to steering wheel as well - I notice it gets a tiny bit better when I tilt the seat back slightly backwards so my shoulders are farther back, but still not ideal and gives me the white hot rage anytime I drive.

I'm holding out hopes for the next generation of cars - I live in the German southwest right in the middle of automobile country and I've been told for a fact that manufacturers/applied research have FINALLY been looking into women's seat belts over the past few years.

MEgirl · 01/08/2023 20:15

Have you tried something like this?

https://tinyurl.com/mr2r4bfd

TheAverageJoanne · 01/08/2023 19:57

There's no option to lower the seat belt on the wall of the car.

OP posts:
MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 01/08/2023 19:47

I get this too. I'm 5ft1 and large of chest. I was in a car recently where the head restraint actually meant I couldn't put my head completely upright. I had to kind of look slightly down. I ended up with a migraine from the neck ache.

talkingdeadscot · 01/08/2023 19:45

Saschka · 01/08/2023 19:33

Me too and I don’t? The bit on the door frame usually adjusts, and if you are sitting in the front, the seat raises and lowers.

But then you can't reach the pedals if you're short.

Saschka · 01/08/2023 19:33

cyncope · 01/08/2023 13:06

You're just short. I am just over 5' and have the same problem.

Me too and I don’t? The bit on the door frame usually adjusts, and if you are sitting in the front, the seat raises and lowers.

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