Car insurance: Improved vehicle safety for expectant mothers
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Car insurance customers who are expectant mothers may soon benefit from improved vehicle safety thanks to new research being carried out in America.
In a study part-funded by Ford, biomedical researchers are developing a computer-aided model of pregnant drivers and passengers in order to improve crash-protection features in future vehicles, reports Associated Press.
Stefan Duma, who is leading the study, said it was estimated that at least several hundred foetal deaths occurred as a result of car accidents each year, although there were no official statistics on the subject.
"We can develop restraint systems for any vehicle and any occupant, but we first have to see the injuries themselves, what happens to the placenta and uterus tissues during an accident," said Mr Duma.
The advisory website BabyandPregnancy.co.uk states that there is no reason why expectant mothers should not carry on driving as normal and recommends they should continue to wear a seatbelt while travelling, even if it feels slightly uncomfortable.
Posted by Rick Malone
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