Seatbelt Laws...

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

Wow, talk about getting on the bad side of the "irony fairy".
I'm not trying to sound crass, I do respect that he was willing to stake his life on principal, even if it cut short his possible future contributions to society, not to mention the pain to his loved ones. Hopefully this stand was based on his beliefs more than the notion that "it wont happen to me."
I wear my seatbelt habitually. I freely admit that originally it was for fear of getting a ticket, not out of any belief that anything like that might happen to me. Thus is youth.
Since, I have learned that, yes it can. Consequently, I wear the belt (and would, even if all the laws were repealed today), not to mention that my driving habits have changed greatly.
I think that ultimatly, each person should be responsible for their behavior large and small. You choose not to wear a belt, fine, but you will pay more in insurance than someone who does. ( in a perfect world where everyones honest )
Same goes for helmet laws, you couldnt get me onto a bike without a helmet and leathers. But if you dont want to, fine, just dont cry later. (BTW, I once *watched* a guy lay a nice Harley over at speed trying to make a gravel u-turn, I stopped to help, and he had a nice "Barney purple" bruise on the top of his shoulder and gravel buried in his helmet. Had he chosen to ride helmetless, which is legal in Fl, His skull would have been spread over like 8ft of dirt.)
Sorry, end digression,
Anyway, In principal, I believe seat belt laws are an intrusion, and people should have an option, even if it costs them more. But in the practical world, occasionally there are others that might know more, or at least, can keep you alive long enough to let you make an informed decision.
As to the premiums queston though, I would daresay that the "payout" factor is not nearly as crippiling as it is made out to be, they are running a buisness, and if they can increase the amount you pay, due to honest inflation, they will add something, to keep the profit margin growing. I'm 29, have never had an accident, last ticket was like 4-5 years ago, for rolling through a stopsign, and I pay nearly 200 a month. But my credit is not great, so thats an excuse to jack the rates [Oh, wait, wrong rant, sorry]
Anyway, as far as "seatbelt checkpoints" etc, yes its basically a somewhat plausable excuse to set up a checkpoint to look for other reasons. The commercials are an even bigger waste of money, But I have to wonder, do insurance companies contribute to the funds for them, and if so do they get somekind of break for their "assistance"?

Anyway, all things considered, it DID get me in the habit of wearing it, and I would now, if I had the choice, but I wish it had been my parents to teach me to do it.

Apoligies for the lenght and tone, I'm in a cynical mood
J

[DeltaMustang65]

Oh god, I hate this subject...I can't even believe I'm posting on this thread...

Anyway, is anyone else here sick of these people that think they should be able to rebel against everything and do whatever they want, regardless of consequences to themselves and others and the "big picture" (be it car insurance, medical insurance, etc)? This guy sounds like some spoiled college kid (no offense to anyone in college, I'm a college student too. Just not spoiled) that thinks the world revolves around him or something, and who got all upset when he got a ticket for something "he didn't feel like" doing.

"If one is doing the math, that is more than $138 million spent on seat belt laws. But the kicker is this: It is estimated, by researchers for Congress, that ---->ONLY 6,100 LIVES <---- are saved per year because of new seat belt wearers. Moreover, the increase in the percentage of those who wear seat belts has leveled off."

You sir, are a ******-bag.

You also unwittingly kill your own argument by saying this...

"I’m from the school of thought where everyone should have the right to do as they please as long as they are not infringing on the rights of other people. This comes from the political philosophy that inspired our founders and freedoms."

He apparently didn't realize that he IS infringing on the rights of other in the case that the unthinkable happens. But that's common sense, or so I thought.

I'd like to raise a few arguments against this moron, but it looks like you guys did a good job already. Since I work part time as a hospital orderly, the only things I WILL say are:

1) 6,100 lives saved translates to trillions of dollars saved in medical bills per year, I'd wager. This guy can appreciate $$$, even if he can't appreciate a human life.

2) Maybe WE should have a choice in who WE help at the hospitals, HUH??? How would you like that? Maybe we should deny treatment to anyone who didn't wear their seatbelt? NOTE: This is sarcasm. This would not only be incredibly inhumane, but would kill the economy. Think big picture here.

3) This guy's arguments are proof that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

P.S. I know there are things that the government gets wrong, but that's a poor argument for not having to wear your seat belt.

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by mattgoveiagt

...
I'd like to raise a few arguments against this moron, but it looks like you guys did a good job already. Since I work part time as a hospital orderly, the only things I WILL say are:

1) 6,100 lives saved translates to trillions of dollars saved in medical bills per year, I'd wager. This guy can appreciate $$$, even if he can't appreciate a human life.

2) Maybe WE should have a choice in who WE help at the hospitals, HUH??? How would you like that? Maybe we should deny treatment to anyone who didn't wear their seatbelt? NOTE: This is sarcasm. This would not only be incredibly inhumane, but would kill the economy. Think big picture here.

3) This guy's arguments are proof that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

P.S. I know there are things that the government gets wrong, but that's a poor argument for not having to wear your seat belt.

Considering he's dead from an auto accident most likely because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt, he's probably not going to debate you on the subject.

[DeltaMustang65]

Aw man...and I was soooo looking forward to debating with this genius, gosh golly-gee darn CRAP!

I know the guy isn't around anymore, but thank you.

[CobraJet428]

I seldom wore seatbelts prior to last year because of the seat belt alarm going off in my '07 until I put it own. Do I belive seatbelts save lives? Yes. However, i belive it is a matter of personal responsibility to wear them and should not be a matter of legislation. In the end, it is revenue enhancement for state and local governments.

[6T5PONY]

I started wearing seat belts back when you had to go to the local airport to buy them, because car and parts dealers didn't have them. I ALWAYS have my seat belt buckled, in fact it is such a habit that it will be buckled if I back the car out of the garage for a wash!!

That said: the seat belt laws are the most asinine and ridiculous nanny laws on the books. It's nobody's d**n business but mine whether I'm buckled or not! And the idiotic comment that it costs somebody else if I'm injured is hogwash. I insure myself.

Seatbelt laws are, to use the military term, bravo sierra!

Another beef: the auto manufacturers, in an effort to save a couple of bucks a car, stopped installing inertia locks. Now the belt constantly digs into your neck and makes them much more uncomfortable than when you could lock them in a comfortable position. Only stupid - save a buck and make it less likely that the person will use the d**n safety device. The feds should correct that idiotic move, if they are going to do anything.

[thors_1]

well who pays for your doctor/s & medical bills if you aren't wearing your seatbelt? are you saying your going to refuse to let anyone but you pay for the bills? it's a really moot question.. untill your almost in the accident who really wants it on? those who see a car/truck coming at them head on at 60-70 mph, lets ask those people about seatbelts and if they want it on.

[6T5PONY]

Originally Posted by thors_1

. untill your almost in the accident who really wants it on? .

Who wants it on? I want it on. I've used them, as I have said, since before you could buy them for your car. I am very uncomfortable without a belt. (But the idiotic design of the newer ones that constantly dig into you, offsets part of it.)

Anyone who drives without a seatbelt is, in my opinion, acting like an idiot. And, yes, I have had at least two incidents where being secure in my seat helped me avoid a wreck. But it is still none of the government's business.

[drchallenger-94sho]

its fun to do thru a winshield, not

[thors_1]

Originally Posted by 6T5PONY

Who wants it on? I want it on. I've used them, as I have said, since before you could buy them for your car. I am very uncomfortable without a belt. (But the idiotic design of the newer ones that constantly dig into you, offsets part of it.)

Anyone who drives without a seatbelt is, in my opinion, acting like an idiot. And, yes, I have had at least two incidents where being secure in my seat helped me avoid a wreck. But it is still none of the government's business.

So we do agree then, it's uncomfortable to wear.. but it is something you want on just before you get out of your car.... head first.

[6T5PONY]

Originally Posted by thors_1

So we do agree then, it's uncomfortable to wear.. but it is something you want on just before you get out of your car.... head first.

Actually, the seatbelt in my Mustang is quite comfortable. '65 has lap belts only.

I think they should force the automakers to bring back the inertia locks that were on the 70s and 80s belts. Latch it and lean forward a bit, it locked and was snug in place without digging into your neck like the newer ones do. Obviously removed to save ... what? five bucks? - even on expensive cars. More comfortable belts would encourage their proper use. Having them constantly digging into you is ridiculous.

[mike894]

I wear mine all the time. The thing that tiks me off is people with there own personal cars have to obey the law and wear seat belts so do grey hound buses and any other vehicle, But school buses have no seat belts at all. School buses can get into wreches just like anybody else so why don't they have seat belts to protect the kids.