United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Ok, question? What does everyone do with their seatbelt when they drive?

I tuck the shoulder belt under my armpit. It really bothers me over the shoulder both mentally and physically. Plus if I had a serious frontal colision with it normal, my arm would probably be 100 paralyzed. So I got pulled over for the 3rd time here by a trooper for it. This time he gave me a ticket. I had it on, just improperly so it doesnt count. I tried to explain the situation but he was just....well, i dont have anything nice to say. He suggested i get a doctors note.

Does anyone else have this problem?

This is simply unbelievable!

if it was me i'd fight the ticket citing your arm for the reason you wore the belt the way you did.
daniel

get a doctors note to keep in you car at all times like he suggested, but then you could also fight the ticket in court, just make sure you get the documentation from your doctor and reasons why. it shouldnt be a huge issue good luck!

What a load of crap! I always wore seatbelts like that even before the accident because I'm short enough that they cut me off at an uncomfortable angle and I've never had a problem. Must have been the state trooper's time of the month. It really shows how much of the enforcement of the law is dependent on the mood of the law enforcer. I agree with all of the above. Get a doctor's note and fight that ticket. (In fact I'm going to get a doctor's note just to be safe) I'm sorry that happened as I'm sure it felt like a slap in the face.
Maybe the state troopers should worry more about ALL the people on motorcycles WITHOUT helmuts on then one person who is actiually wearing his seatbelt..........

I always keep the seat belt under my elbow to support my arm but if I got pulled over i think the beer in my lap and the phone in my ear might get me in more trouble than the seat belt and the pills in the console.

I've seen this question come up a lot and it worries me.

A few things to note. One is to read this website http://www.buckleupnc.org/using_belts.cfm
There is a very simple diagram of how wearing a belt incorrectly may cause a spinal injury. Another thing to be aware of is that the shoulder strap is there to prevent your body from moving forward in an accident. A big reason you don't want your body moving forward in an accident is that there will be an airbag coming at you at over 200MPH. The idea is to hit the airbag as it deflates and not as it inflates.

If you can't use the shoulder belt then talk to your doctor in order to come up with a solution. Look at alternatives like maybe a 5 point or other configuration seatbelt. Car manufactures may have suggestions as well. Talk to your dealer or call the manufacturer of your vehicle. Most will have a department that specializes in solving problems like this and may very well do it for free.

The risk of loosing complete function in your affected arm may be less of a risk then the alternative.

ive had this problem 2x now in atlanta

Thought I should add this comment. Recently we went on a 3+ hour car ride when my 17 year old TBPI was in the third seat of our suburban and fell asleep. When he woke up, the seat belt had slipped under his arm which was in a cast from recent surgery (free muscle & intercostals nerve transfer). He was unable to lift his arm up due to the position of his arm in the cast and plus it would have damaged the work the Mayo just did. We had to cut the seat belt to get it off of him, it was getting tighter and tighter no matter what we did. So, make sure you have something to cut that seat belt.