Seatbelt fit for small adults

ed_tricia · Feb 27, 2009

I am 5'1" and about 100-105 lbs., and 27 years old. We have a 2004 Pontiac Vibe, and a 2002 Chevy Prizm. The Vibe is my primary vehicle to drive or ride in. It has an adjuster where the top of the seat belt attaches, but even on the lowest setting, it hits my neck. The waist belt part is low on my abdomen, across my hips, like resting vertically on top of my legs. On long trips, I actually sit on a small travel pillow so the back rest and seat belt are more comfortable. Is that dangerous? Is there a way to safely make the seat belt fit correctly? I know most, if not all, aftermarket products are no-nos, but I am definitely not the only adult who has this problem.
Thanks!
(If this is in the wrong place, please let me know. I figured it made more sense here than in child seats.)

kaylee18 · Mar 1, 2009

I'm the same size. Yes, sitting on something is not optimal. It's likely to come flying out from under you in a crash. If it's heavy, like a phone book, it can seriously injure your legs when it hits the backs of your knees. Also, after it flies out, you're going to fall down onto the seat however many inches the cushion was tall, then your abdomen may run into the seatbelt at that number of inches up (because you fall, but the belt doesn't).

The first thing I do after using the adjuster is to move over in the seat toward the belt buckle. This often situates me behind a part of the shoulder belt that's low enough not to cross at the neck.

Most positioner or adjuster products pull the lap belt up and can cause serious abdominal damage in a crash. The safest adjuster I've seen is here: http://www.autosafeproducts.co.nz/heightadjuster.html - it doesn't affect the lap portion at all. The other option I've seen that I'd actually be willing to use is here: skjp.com/products/index.php?v=detail&cid=34&name=SureFit9741&id=16 - it does attach to the lap belt, but by the wall, where it probably won't interfere with its positioning.

Pixels · Mar 1, 2009

Really the best thing would be a backless booster (one without a weight limit, or that you fit the weight limits for). It would safely lift you up enough that the shoulder portion of the belt would fit properly.