Vehicle safety belts are devices that help protect you while riding in the car. They help prevent you from getting hurt in a car accident. Some people need different options than just the belts that come in a car.

Discuss these options with your doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist. You can also consult with a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST). Find one near you using the Safe Kids Coalition’s search tool.

What Kinds of Safety Belts Are There?

Lap and Shoulder Belts

Safety belts can be installed at custom heights to fit you. These might be useful, in combination with wheelchair tie-down systems, if you sit in a wheelchair while riding.

Adaptive Car Seat

Protective car seats are available for people of all ages. These may be called medical car seats or adaptive booster seats. They provide more support than the seatbelts that come with your car. Adaptive car seats might have a harness and other accessories such as wedges and support pads to position you safely. They are available from companies like Merritt, Colombia Medical, and Special Tomato (pictured).

Lay Down Vest

A Lay Down Vest is a special safety harness for children who, for medical reasons, need to be transported while lying down. They might have a spinal injury or body cast that prevents them from sitting upright. Products called car beds are also available for infants with this need.

Buckle Guard

Buckle guards are an option for people who are at risk of unbuckling themselves while the vehicle is moving. These devices fit over your seat belt and cover the release button. There are styles that fit over harness, like the Escape Proof from Merritt, as well as styles that go over lap belts, like the Buckle Guard Pro. Another option is a product with its own straps built in, like the Houdini Harness.