The theory of 3 point restraints (i.e., lap and shoulder belts) is that they give much more protection to your upper body by restraining you from flying forward into the dashboard in a collision. That's why automakers and regulators switched from the original lap belt design to the lap and shoulder belt.

But when you are lying down, you don't want the shoulder belt on you. All you want is the lap belt to hold you into your seat. Then, if you fly forward, you won't hit the dash, and you also won't ride up on the shoulder belt.

So when you recline back, put the lap belt around your waist but then put the shoulder belt UNDER you. The tensioner should still stop the belt from loosening in an accident, if it is working properly.

This isn't as safe as not sleeping in the car at all, but remember, sleeping in the passenger seat is often what makes long drives possible with 2 drivers.

Good post, and if that second driver can recline while they sleep they will be much better rested and a much safer driver when it is their turn to drive.

Dilen, I don't think you didn't read the article very well. The lap belt is what caused her injuries. It did not say so explicitly, but I'm reasonably sure that a sholder belt can not injure one's spleen.

As a child passenger safety technician one of the things that we run into is that we educate the parents about how the restraints work to help keep their child safe in case of a car crash. We DO tell parents to NOT RECLINE their seats. A seat belt is there to safeguard you in case of a car crash, (notice I'm not saying ACCIDENT), it is there to work when it is properly being used. If you recline a child's seat and loosen the straps it's not smart. Based on that what makes us think that we can sit in a car recline our seat and be able to be safe in a car crash??? Also in NY state I don't know about other states, but if you are riding in an Ambulance NOTICE that they are NO longer RECLINED. The reason, the same reason why you shouldn't be reclining your carseat. IF THERE ISN"T NOTHING TO STOP YOU, YOU WILL FLY FORWARD OR SLIDE RIGHT THROUGH THE SEATBELT.

HENCE lesson learned, don't recline your carseat. Another issue that we don't realize is when people drive with their seats reclined. (I don't want to even start talking about that.) If you want laws to change start in your local community, for example every state has different seatbelt laws, therefore if you want to make it safer for you contact your local government officials and get petitions then can we change the laws in our states, one by one until the entire nation does it.