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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to assume I´m not the only person to find seatbelts uncomfortable

78 replies

Happy36 · 05/08/2015 16:14

Been in a car more often this past month or so than usual (I don´t drive and we don´t own a car). Seatbelts are so uncomfortable! Does anyone else find the seatbelt rubs their boob/nipple on the opposite side? I have taken to holding the belt away from my body in the boob area to avoid the unpleasant rubbing sensation.

OP posts:
Marcipex · 07/08/2015 10:50

I use a cotton scarf,folded, to pad the seatbelt on my shoulder.
Though don't bother on short journeys.

EBearhug · 08/08/2015 10:28

I have a padded seatbelt thing, so it doesn't cut into my neck. I'm 5'4" which is a fairly average height; you'd think car manufacturers would cater for average heights of both sexes these days, not just men.

Eternalsunshines · 08/08/2015 10:35

Flying through a windscreen is even more uncomfortable

EBearhug · 08/08/2015 10:51

I have no doubt my seatbelt saved my life when I wrote off my car - the bruising showed exactly where the belt went. But I don't see why it should be uncomfortable the rest of the time just because I'm not an average man's height.

BertieBotts · 08/08/2015 11:00

4' 11" is the minimum to ride without a booster in Germany and the recommended to ride without a booster in the UK.

4' 5" is the minimum in UK. Of course in both countries they also have an exception for over 12s in case of short adults Grin But in case any shorties were wondering if they really are too short. Seatbelts are designed to work on anybody 4' 11" and above and most will also adequately protect anyone taller than 4' 5" :)

To the person insisting it's a nanny state thing - it's not. Unrestrained passengers are a hazard to other passengers in the car and other road users. If you flew out of the windscreen you could hit pedestrians or other cars.

To that end you should also strap in heavy items you are transporting, and pets. Not many people think about that.

X-MIL taught DS that he could slip the diagonal bit under his arm Angry WTF, thanks Nanny for the collapsed lung! I mean do people not even think about how a seatbelt is supposed to work?

blankblink · 08/08/2015 12:01

Google Klunk Klip seatbelt clip, I've used these for years.

Remember to only have a slight slackening, they are 'overridden' if you have to emergency stop.

NotCitrus · 08/08/2015 13:17

I'm 5'8" which is the average male height (or was a while back), and I find the seatbelf digs into my neck. New car has an adjustable height thing so I need to play with that. I think it's because I need to tuck it below a breast and then it twists a bit higher up.

I've been in accidents where seat belts prevented serious injury, so I wear them anyway.

EBearhug · 08/08/2015 23:27

I have my adjustable height thing on the lowest setting, and it still digs in my neck. On the highest setting, it would probably be across my face, which I suspect would not make it useful for good vision while driving, nor be helpful in the case of an emergency stop...

CanIBeTimmythedog · 11/08/2015 22:10

I'm tall, 5" 10' and I find the seat belt digs into my shoulder and rubs. I'm in the habit of pulling it away and kind of holding it in my hand. Obviously very dangerous and I really should stop.
I cannot believe that people would willingly travel without a seatbelt. The comment about surviving without them for so many years?! Really??. People died, cars were slower, less powerful, less traffic on the roads etc etc, yet people still died!

Hexe29 · 20/04/2020 02:55

I have exactly the same problem, also been holding the seatbelt away from my body, driving with one hand. It has aggravated my nipple so much that it’s oozing liquid. Have you found a remedy?

lyralalala · 20/04/2020 04:55

I imagine that since the thread was started in 2015 the OP has found a solution by now...

Hexe29 · 20/04/2020 22:37

Thank you for the intelligent input lyralalala.

StormTreader · 21/04/2020 11:18

I use these
www.amazon.co.uk/WENTS-Seat-Belt-Adjuster-Comfortable/dp/B07H4FQQSF?ref_=fspcr_pl_dp_12_2484493031&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You leave them on and they pull the seatbelt away from your neck.
In the event of an accident, they are only held together with poppers so will pop free quickly.

Durgasarrow · 22/04/2020 13:03

no

Coulddowithanap · 22/04/2020 13:14

Are you wearing a top? Can't see how its rubbing if you are. I understand it digging into your neck when it's not adjusted properly.

Maybe you need to wear a thicker top or padded bra as someone suggested.

mencken · 22/04/2020 13:18

you might be able to adjust the seat height or angle, try that.

there are a lot of really bad drivers out at the moment - not just speeding but no insurance etc (which is really dumb as they are a lot more likely to be caught). Your chance of a serious crash is very high if you meet one of them so please wear the belt properly. As someone said upthread, it wasn't actually the paparazzi that killed Diana of Wales.

thegreenlight · 22/04/2020 13:36

They are designed for men. As well as being uncomfortable they won’t protect you as much as it would a man in the event of a crash either. As are phones, toilets and chairs/tables. You live in a man’s world and have to suffer with the discomfort of it all. DH just read a book about it written by a scientist and it has turned him into a bit of a rabid feminist!

Nameisthegame · 22/04/2020 14:10

I agree super uncomfortable I think it’s partly because it’s meant to be for the standard man which is w a lot of ppe and health and safety stuff doesn’t fit women that well.

flirtygirl · 22/04/2020 14:21

I put the seat belt beneath my breath so it's probably bit as good in use but better than not wearing one at all.

It always catches my neck and hurts. I'm nearly 5 foot 7 and enormous breath though. But this can happen to both small and large of nork, so not sure why it does happen.

londonrach · 22/04/2020 14:24

No never hurt

Picklypickles · 22/04/2020 14:29

I'm 5ft high and my seatbelt sits right across my neck, even adjusted all the way down.

Sugarplumfairy65 · 22/04/2020 15:27

I don't even notice that I've got it on. I'm 5ft 4inch with big boobs.
When I first started driving, seatbelts were not mandatory but I always wore one

CaveMum · 22/04/2020 15:37

There’s a reason for this - seatbelts are designed for the male body. Have a read of Caroline Criado Perez’s book “Invisible Women” which highlights exactly this sort of thing.

Have a read of these articles:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47725946

www.thenation.com/article/archive/invisible-women-caroline-criado-perez/

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/23/truth-world-built-for-men-car-crashes

PippaPegg · 22/04/2020 15:39

Yes. Seatbelts are blatantly designed for men by men. Irritating as fuck.

PippaPegg · 22/04/2020 15:41

ZOMBIE!