seatbelt law?

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

I don't think you should be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. If you don't want to wear it, you shouldn't be made to. How is it we don't have to wear helmets on motorcycles in TX, but we have to wear seatbelts? Seems to me the danger of an average motorcylce wreck would be more than an average car wreck.

That said, I try to wear mine every single time. I didn't wear one until about 2 years ago when I rolled my Blazer into a ditch. I started wearing it directly after that for about 4-5 months, then got lazy and stopped. About 6 months ago I asked myself why I don't wear it and "I don't like to" just didn't seem like a good enough answer, so I started wearing it.

WakeBoardingManiac · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 914 City: Montréal

B-rad · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 8:02 am Post subject:

I don't get the motorcycle thing at all. My friends mom will not start the car untill everyone in the car has a seatbelt on. Yet when she rides her trike she never puts her helmet on. I also think it's stupid that people now think it's cool to NOT wear a helmet on motorcycles. I'm a beliver in seatbelts and helmets. I also thin the charge for seatbelt tickets is between $120 and $200. I have had friends that get them and seems to vary per county/ city/ etc.

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

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 9:48 am Post subject:

on the motorcycle helmet law my dad pretty much always wears his seatbelt now (only because he tries to set an example for his kids) but doesnt wear a helmet on a motorcycle (exclucing dirt bikes) because he thinks if you have a wreck on a motorcycle that comes down to your helmet saving your life the wreck is probably bad enough to hurt the rest of his body to the point that he probably wouldnt enjoy life anymore anyway.

B-rad · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 9:54 am Post subject:

I think that is the most retarded logic I ever hear wes. My friend Jacob hit some gravel on his R6 on Bullock Hollow rode and slide from a long time. His arms and legs were all torn up with road rash and he had to go to the hospital. His helmet was 1/2 missing from when he was slidding on his body because he was partially on his head. The helmet caused him to be here today with only some major scars on his arms instead of missing his head and other brain problems.... There are stories that go on and on about this. What if some how fall over going 10mph and slam your head on the pavement, a helmet makes the difference between a head ache and concusison or death.

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

I'll give that some credence. Sadly.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

Bad logic no doubt.

I still think it shouldn't be a crime to not wear either. If I want to get my brains splattered or get thrown through a window, it should be my right to do so. Just a freedom issue, the way I see it.

This is from someone who has totalled 2 cars - not a scratch on me (well, one scratch) - with no seatbelt either time...and had my head bounced off a wall in a motorcycle accident - helmet most definitely saved me...maybe not my life, but definitely my quality of life!

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 10:02 am Post subject:

well for one my Dad doesnt ride an R6 so he doesn't have to worry about the bike low siding when he's got it leaned over and dragging his knee on the ground. he does wear a helmet when we ride dirt bikes for the reason that you are much more likely to have a wreck on a dirt bike just like you are if you are riding beyond your limits on an R6. the chances of losing control on a huge chopper aren't that great because you must ride one a lot more cautiously than an R6.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 10:08 am Post subject:

here is some interesting information concerning seat belt laws.
http://www.self-gov.org/freeman/920710.html

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

B-rad · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 10:24 am Post subject:

people always say that sport bikes are more dangerous, I do agree there is the potential for that. The problem with accidents is that it is an accident, unexpected, and unwanted. Being on a chopper doesn't mean your dad might not hit some oil slick on the road dropped by a car or truck and low slide. My friend hit gravel that had fallen off a nearby cliff and it had started to drizzle a little. Those are 2 things he had no control of, that wold be the same if your dad hit some oil slick or had a car pull out in front of him etc.... All are accidents, I would rather be labeled not cool and wear a helmet. I think that if he were slam his head on the ground it might change his idea about it. It's also don't agree that you are only afffecting your life if you decide to not wear a seat belt. I know there would be a lot of family and friends that would be changed if I died because I did not have on a seatbelt or helmet.

B-rad · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 10:26 am Post subject:

Duplicate post....

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 10:39 am Post subject:

a lot of people say you should wear a helmet on a bicycle but many people dont. some may say you shoudl wear a helmet anytime you wakeboard but some dont. it's all a matter of what kind of risk you are willing to take.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

[quote="cameraboy"]

jason_ssr · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 11:36 am Post subject:

ok, nobody has mentioned it yet, so I will... My brother was in a vehicle that rolled and wasnt wearing a seatbelt. he was thrown clear of the crash and wasnt injured where everyone who was strapped in were pinned and messed up. Was he lucky not to be wearing a death belt???

(Yes Im a strong believer in belts, just playing devils advocate....)

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

Extremely lucky. 1 in a thousand chance that he was ok. Usually people thrown end up MUCH worse than people who are kept inside the car with belts, provided there is an adequate safety cage built into the car, as modern cars all have.

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 11:54 am Post subject:

ohsix · Posted: Apr 21, 2003 11:57 am Post subject:

also did anyone read that link i posted above? what are your thoughts on what it says about seat belts causing more traffic accidents? i believe that could be true. i know when i'm driving down the highway and passing long lines of cars i put on my seatbelt. so i do believe that people will drive more recklessly when they feel they have the security and added safety of a seat belt.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

tyybo · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 340 City: Fargo

I hate the seat belt laws in North Dakota, when i was stil under 18 i went over my points because of a seatbelt and lost my license for like 6 months i was so pissed Evil or Very Mad

B-rad · Posted: Apr 22, 2003 7:04 am Post subject:

The main reason they have the laws in the states is for federal funding. It can be taken away if they do not compley with certain laws the federal goverment would like to see enforced. Another example was here is TX with the open container law. Untill about 2 years ago passengers could be drinking alcohol in the car. Now there is a fine if you are caught. They passed the law because federal funding was threatened. I do support the seat belt law though.