Most of us value the safety of a pregnant woman, but Ford has taken it to the next level.
Last week I got to check out Ford’s empathy suit. A multi-component, weighted garment, the suit is designed to enable men and women to experience the effects of pregnancy. Engineers used, and are continuing to use this insight to understand the needs and limitations of moms-to-be when creating future vehicles.
A recent survey by Ford Motor Company found that 88% of women say they drove their entire pregnancy with only 7% stopping at the end of their third trimester.
They also found:
- 33% of respondents say they believe driving is a difficult task for women to accomplish while pregnant
- 78% of respondents believe it is somewhat or much more difficult for women to fasten or adjust their seat belts when pregnant
- One in three respondents believe safety technology is the most helpful technology for female drivers who are in the third trimester
And, working with Well Rounded NY® – an online destination for expectant mommy advice – Ford is kicking off License Renew While Driving for Two, a comprehensive guide for road-ready moms to-be. Tips from Ford and from Well Rounded NY will help both moms- and babies-to-be experience a smooth, enjoyable drive.
- How to buckle with a bump. Lap belt portion of the safety belt should fit snug and be positioned low across the hips, below the belly. Shoulder belt portion should be positioned across your chest, between the breasts and to the side of the belly. Make sure lap belt does not run across the belly, but lies as flat as possible under the curve. Never tuck the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back – this can hurt both you and the baby.
- Bump, not bulk. Remove bulky clothes so the safety belt can be placed as close to the body as possible.
- Proper posture. Always ride and drive with your seat-back upright and the safety belt properly fastened.
- Back it up. Move your seat as far rearward as possible while still being able to reach the pedals comfortably.
On top of this, Ford values safety features with Moms in mind, including child safety seat attachments that make installation simple.
The standard 2017 Escape comes with upgraded airbags including side seat mounted airbags, 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, and a driver knee airbag.
All in all, Ford is doing more than their part in helping us Moms to be safer in our vehicles!
