For the Love of God, Don't Drive With a Claw Clip

As the 90s-inspired accessory continues to grow in popularity, there’s mounting concern among safety experts – namely the dangers of wearing claw clips in a car.

You may be wondering what kind of risks are posed by wearing a seemingly harmless hair clip. It’s a convenient way to keep hair out of your face, it's cute, and it’s the perfect way to style hair that’s due for a wash, but the risks are very real.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 31,785 people died in a traffic accident in 2022, and any minor distraction, such as a hair clip, can have fatal consequences.

One of the biggest concerns with hair claw clips is scull damage on impact, which could lead to brain injury or worse, death.

Dan Gick, managing director of Scrap Car Comparison, says, “Because of the proximity to the head, and the many claws which these accessories are made up of, the hair grips could cause significant injuries to the skull, face, and neck if you were to be involved in a crash – all injuries which could be avoided if you aren’t wearing one.”

This warning is not only coming from experts, but those on TikTok also share their PSA based on their own experiences. Check out this viral video and this one, too.

Another concern, which may be less likely but a risk nonetheless, is the clips becoming projectiles in the event of an accident. The force of a collision can cause the clip to fly off and potentially hit other passengers in the vehicle, which could also cause serious injury depending on the severity of the accident.

Despite these risks, many drivers are still choosing to rock their clips while driving, but the name of the game is safety first. We implore you to minimize the risks by removing not just the clips but other major accessories when in a vehicle, like lanyards and purses. We want the claw clip girlies to make it to their destination safely.

If you are someone who *must* have a clip as part of the outfit, keep these tips in mind and consider alternatives.

First and foremost, think about the size of your clip. Although we recommend just scrapping the claw clip until you make it to your destination, smaller clips may pose less of a risk than their larger counterparts. Keep in mind the grips, or claws, and consider using a clip that doesn’t have them like this Invisibobble or these flat claw clips.

Secondly, make sure your hair clip is secure. If your clip keeps falling out before you even get in the car, that may be a sign that you shouldn’t wear it while driving. Try a different style or use soft scrunchies to keep your hair in place and out of your face.

Ultimately, we want you to opt for the safest option which is avoiding clips altogether as a passenger or behind the wheel. Instead, bring the clip in your purse and style your hair once you get to your destination or style your hair in a way that doesn’t require the accessory altogether. It may seem like a small inconvenience, but nothing is worth risking injury or death in the event of an accident. We always think “not me” until it happens.