seatbelt law?

ohsix · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 8:44 pm Post subject: seatbelt law?

earlier today, on my way to houston, i got pulled over by a highway patrolman for not wearing my seatbelt and he gave me a ticket. i have always thought the seatbelt law was stupid and today i think it is very stupid. i do believe that seatbelts are a good idea and it is a good idea to wear your seatbelt. however, i dont think that wearing your seatbelt should be enforced by law. not wearing your own seatbelt does not harm the safety of anyone else and has no effect on anything except you if and only if you have an accident.

what are your thoughts?

salmon_tacos · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 9:21 pm Post subject:

I don't like laws that are meant only to protect people from themselves. I don't, however, think that the seatbelt law fits exactly into that category. I also don't like the idea of paying for the medical bills of all the stupid people who a). don't have insurance because they are too stupid to get a decent job, and b). aren't wearing their seatbelts and break their necks, backs, legs, heads, or whatever in car accidents.

As they always say...driving is a privilege, not a right (at least on public roads). I view the seatbelt law as protecting the taxpayers that paid for those roads, not some of the idiots who get to drive on them.

Why weren't you wearing your seatbelt anyway? Livin' dangerously?

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

The seatbelt law could save your life when you least expect it. Accidents aren't planned. That's why it's called an "accident".

I never used to wear my seatbelt. But on this evening, New Year's Eve of 1991, my passenger and I thought it would be a good idea if we wore our seatbelts. On our way to the club for the New Year's Eve party, we were on a 2 lane highway, one for each side of the road. The speed limit was 30, but I was going about 35, when all of a sudden a car going the opposite way crossed over right in front of me. There were parked cars to my right so all I could do was slam on my brakes. I locked up the brakes and collided head-on with the other car. If it weren't for the seatbelts, I would've had a more serious injury than a sore neck. If it weren't for the seatbelts, my passenger would've had a more serious injury than sore knees, as his knees hit the bottom part of the dash. If it weren't for seatbelts, the police and emergency personels would've been rescuing, rather than cleaning up the mess.

By the way, the person that hit us? He was drunk and wasn't wearing his seatbelt. Immediately before the collision, I saw everything as if it were in slow-motion. I saw the collision, and the guy's face hitting the steering wheel, then the windshield. I saw the expression on the guy's face when his chin slammed on the steering wheel. I saw it all.

As uncomfortable as it may seem, wear your seatbelt. It could save your life one day.

Josh R · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 10:53 pm Post subject:

Do people still not wear seatbelts? Thats news to me...

nick e[V]ans · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 11:10 pm Post subject:

i see no reason why not to wear a seatbelt, its not uncomfortable, its not annoying, its not "uncool", seems a little like not wearing a wakeboard vest to me, its just one of those things i dont think twice about, and hopefully one day will save my life if i ever get in that situation.

Jen · Outlaw Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 169 City: McQueeney, TX

well actually if you're in a 2000 pound vehicle (or some where around that) you aren't required to wear your seatbelt...also if you're in the backseat i dont think it counts either. but i think it's dumb not to wear one b/c what if a drunk driver comes and hits you or something.

heliboy911 · Guest

I think it's like boarding w/o a vest. It's not worth the risk.

Josh R · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 6:20 am Post subject:

Seriously? People don't wear seatbelts?

jvanick · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 6:23 am Post subject:

I think the law itself is stupid... if you want to die, go ahead, but there should be a cop writing you a ticket because you want to die. it's kinda like the motorcycle helmet laws...

I got in an accident a few years back in a ford escort (one of the ones with those stupid mandatory seatbelts (the ones that are motorized)... to make a long story short, I rear ended a stationwagon that was "parked" in the middle of the expressway at around 50mph or so), didn't even have a chance to hit the brakes or anything... the entire front end of the car was smashed... the dash and steering wheel were pressed against me and the cops had to "extract" me from the wreckage... (no, there as no alcohol or drugs of any type involved... just me following a pickup truck too closely in bad weather... he swerved, I didn't)

If it wouldn't have been for that seat belt, I'd probably be dead right now...

I *always* wear my seltbelt when traveling in the front seat of a car...
up until the accident, I didn't wear seat belts, I thought they were stupid.
the rear seat belts are usually too uncomfortable, so I don't wear them...

-J

Sean_Brinston · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 7:10 am Post subject:

I totally agree that seatbelts are a great idea and should be inforced. In the past year 6 kids have died from my school in car accidents. They all would be living today had they worn there belts.

DaveBrowning · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 7:20 am Post subject:

I totally agree with the seatbelt law. Arkansas little slogan about the law is: "Click it, or ticket."

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

seatbelts have saved so many people i kno from dying... therefore i strongly agree that it should be a law. but wes, sorry to hear that u got pulled over.

Jello John · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1936

wes reeves, if you think wearing a seatbelt is a good idea, then why wasn't your's on?

Bill Y Bob · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 8:42 am Post subject:

I didn't think they could pull you over for not wearing a seatbelt. I know they can pull you over for speeding or something else and if your not wearing a seatbelt, they can give you a ticket for that to.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Studies have shown that a person involved in an accident will be able to maintain controll of their vehicle better if he/she is wearing a seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt may result in the driver sliding across the front of the car or losing controll because they have been removed from the driver's seat, and a minor accident may become worse or may result in a subsequent accident.

So wearing a seatbelt also protects other drivers, because you will be better able to stay in controll of your own car if you are held in place in front of the steering wheel instead of sliding around a moving car.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 9:14 am Post subject:

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

I dunno. Wearing a seatbelt is a habit with me. I don't even think about it.

I have issues with lifejacket laws. I don't like the one that makes kids under a certain age wear a vest. My parents kept me in a lifejacket until I was a fish then I was free to go. Now I think the law is something like kids under 12. When I was 12 I could have probably beat most of the boat rangers in a swim race.

And I don't think that they should write me a ticket for wearing a non-cga vest...

People should be able to make decisions for themselves. There is no need for the government to regulate these habits and in turn no need for the government to pay for their treatment should they be injured. Since the government does I guess I see the point in the law but I still think it is stupid.

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

To not wear a seatbeat and to agrue against is just dumb as hell. I cant believe people would be against it. The law is there to protect people like Wes from there own stupidity.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 11:16 am Post subject:

Tyler T · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 12:01 pm Post subject:

well, nobody seems to have mentioned yet the danger of a back seat passenger not wearing a seat belt... the seat belt is what keeps those people in the back seat in the event of a collision...there have been instances where front seat passengers have been decapitated by the limbs of back seat passengers....so the "seatbelts only protect yourself" arguement really doesnt carry much weight

salmon_tacos · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 12:18 pm Post subject:

Wes,

It's funny that you mention cigarettes. I'm guessing that the only reason they aren't outlawed is that the tobacco companies are making a ton of cash and are using a lot of it for lawyers and lobbying.

Nobody makes money from people not wearing their seatbelts and the VAST majority of people feel that everyone should wear them anyway so the seatbelt law can exist.

BTW, I have considered putting a roll-cage and 6-point harness in my car just because of all the stupid crap I see these people in huge SUVs doing all the time...well that and also because then I could do more track events. I probably would have done it already if it didn't cost so much to do a really clean install. I'm lucky though because I could probably pull it off in the old M3. It might look kind of funny in a camry or something.

The idea, which you mentioned, of installing roll cages in all cars is interesting also. I think car companies could do a lot more for saftey then they are doing now. But again, it's all about the money. Unless people demand it (which they won't because they are complacent) or there is a law for it (which there isn't because of lawyers and lobbyists), car makers will do the minimum that is necessary for safety.

nick e[V]ans · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 3:43 pm Post subject:

a lot of people here have mentioned good reasons for wearing seatbelts and the enforcement of seatbelts, but not yet have i heard a valid reason for not wearing a seatbelt apart from it being stuck under the seat, which is lazyness. someone give us a decent reason for not wearing a seatbelt, and josh, i'm guessin some ppl still dont wear seatbelts.

wes about the cigarettes, doesn't the government take a tax on every pack bought, i dunno how much it is but i know thats what our government do, sorta to pay for the diseases they're causing themselves.
nick

ohsix · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 3:50 pm Post subject:

holy sh*t. I NEVER SAID DONT WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. I NEVER SAID THERE IS A GOOD REASON TO NOT WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. i said i dont think people should be required by law to protect themselves.

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

are u positive wes? im sure i remember u saying that u didn't think people should wear their seatbelts... Laughing

ModelAMan · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 48

I always get pulled over. It usually goes like this....

Him -"hi sir, I noticed you weren't wearing your seatbelt"
Me- "yes that's correct, is there a problem?"

Then he looks at me confused.
Me - "Is there anything else sir?"
Him - "no, you can go"
Me - "have a nice day sir"

Any car made before 1976, or something around that doesn't have to have a seatbelt. I've got that beat by almost 50 years Very Happy

ModelAMan · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 48

otiswunguy · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 871 City: Sammamish

modelaman-you said it. the law is to protect tax payers from having to pay medical bills caused by the idiots who actually live with out a seat belt in a wreck. if you want to kill yourself, go ahead. just dont cost us anymore money in the process. im pretty sure that the seatbelt law in washington overruled all previous decisions regarding older vehicles and weight of vehicles.

wake152 · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 10:02 pm Post subject:

How much was the ticket? I sometimes dont put my belt on when Im going a short distance which is stupid for obvious reasons but I dont think it should be a very expencive ticket.

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 10:24 pm Post subject:

Australia has had seatbelt laws since the 70's.

I can't sit in a car without a belt on, I just feel... weird. Sometimes I'll just hop into the car at the river to warm up and listen to the radio, and by force of habit I'll put my belt on.

wake152 · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 10:26 pm Post subject:

yeah ive done that too, its wierd kinda Smile

The worst is hunting cause we drive around and if you see something you have to jump out before its gone(to run off the road to a safe shooting position of course) Wink

but i always end up putting it on then taking it off like 2 secs later cause im so used to getting in the car and doing it

Mister C · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 10:36 pm Post subject:

It shouldnt be a law. Thats why Darwin invented natural selection. If your too stupid to put your seatbelt on then you deserve what you get.

wake152 · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 10:38 pm Post subject:

Ha Ha yeah Mr C gotta good point there

salmon_tacos · Posted: Apr 20, 2003 11:10 pm Post subject:

OK, how about this then...if you:

1. Get in an accident
2. Are not wearing your seatbelt
3. Cannot pay for medical care

Then we get to shoot you in the head. That way, the taxpayers only have to pay for the bullet.

What do you think? Should I go into politics?

Lyte Skin · Outlaw Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 210 City: San Angelo, TX

Wes - I got in the same habit of not wearing one while working in the oil field.
but as soon as i hit pavment i put it on. its kinda a habit to click it off when i hit a dirtroad.
i was introduced to wearing seatbelts the day after i got my license because a lady ran a yeild sign and totalled my truck. i had to hand the po po my paper license.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 6:22 am Post subject: