Do you wear your Seat Belt?

[coloradodave]

It'd be nice if you could plan accidents to happen when you were going slow or always in town, etc., etc. Truth of the matter is you never know when some text messaging squid will come at you at 70 mph from out of nowhere. Years in law enforcement back before air bags drummed into my head that it's no piece of cake to roll up on a head on accident and see one or two bodies planted half way through the windshield or impaled on the steering column. Those experiences influenced my decision to never get underway until EVERYBODY in the vehicle has their belt on. Had a wife (now ex) who kept arguing with me that it was a government intrusion on her 'rights'. Had a buddy on the highway patrol provide me with a few accident scene photos showing people ejected and crushed by their own vehicle and one particularly gruesome one where the person was partially ejected through the windshield before the car did several barrel rolls. Not a pretty picture. Do what you want, but I always buckle up...

 

[Finallygotmine]

I graduated in '83 and used them sparingly when in high school. My Dad hated the fact that the government had to make a law to wear them. He always said that it should be a choice, but was a good idea, just like wearing a helmet on a Motorcycle.
I don't have any stories of someone I know who was injured or killed, but when I went into the Marines, it was a military requirement on base that they be worn and if you wanted base driving privileges, you better have your belt on. They even made you attend classes before you were approved.
During the classes they had a sheriffs deputy put on a slide show with pictures of accident victims and the pictures of the actual injuries that happened in Onslow County....that year. Mind you it was early June. It was a 45 minute show with some pretty gruesome shots all broken down by type of injury...such as " here is a picture when your forehead hits the pillar" followed by about 6 or 7 pictures of people with their skulls ripped open. "Here is what happens when your thigh is injured by the window crank".....followed by more pictures of similar injuries. "stomach injuries hitting the steering wheel" so on and on it went. I had felt that I had been in the emergency room for a year after the class.
So, I started wearing seat belts. Funny thing happened, I got sooo used to wearing them that if I don't wear them now, I feel "naked" without them.
Lot's of old hot rod guys scoff at me for doing so but they don't pay my bills or drive my car so what they say makes no difference.
I'm not really against it being a law, but it shouldn't be a "moving violation" It should just be a ticket with a monetary fine. Children should be belted in since they do not have a choice in the matter!! Even though my parents used to let me lay in the package tray when I was a youngster..LOL I guess times have changed.

 

[S.I. Coronet]

Always. Every time. No exceptions.

I had a buddy who said he had the "right" to not wear one. I said sure, go ahead and don't wear one, but write a contract with your insurance company doesn't have to pay any medical bills injuries you would NOT have gotten if you had one on. The thousands (tens of thousands? hundreds of thousands?) of dollars extra would be paid by you, or your widow.

Then I think this should apply to smokers also for making health insurance so high with their stupid idea of second hand smoke doesn't cause lung cancer in non smokers!
The only reason states passed this stupid seat belt law is if they didn't the federal government was going to stop federal tax aid to help maintain and build roads in their state, because voters would have never voted it in as a law. Fact.

 

[67Satty]

I remember back when my Grandpa picked up his new 1976 Ford LTD. It was his first new car purchase since his 1965 Ford LTD. He was very PO'd to learn that it would buzz at him if he didn't fasten his seatbelt so he took it back to the dealer and made them disable the buzzing.

 

[Finallygotmine]

Then I think this should apply to smokers also for making health insurance so high with their stupid idea of second hand smoke doesn't cause lung cancer in non smokers!
The only reason states passed this stupid seat belt law is if they didn't the federal government was going to stop federal tax aid to help maintain and build roads in their state, because voters would have never voted it in as a law. Fact.

You are probably going to get your wish. We are headed for single payer health care, it's just a matter of time. eventually the government will be telling us what we can eat, drink and smoke because of the "costs to others" and for the "common good" Health insurance will soon be synonymous with government.

 

[cr8crshr]

I hate them, we didn't wear them in the 60s and 70s and made it this far, whats next, lock the door or get a ticket because the door might open and you will fall out?

For the life of me I cannot fathom this type of thinking. It isn't "Logical" as Spock would say. If one still carries that type of resentment, from those days to today, to justify the not wearing of them, then they obviously have absolutely no self control and maturity to even operate a motor vehicle in the first place. It is the LAW!!! We are a Nation of LAWS. Therefore, what seems as tyrannical and over reaching in imposing this type of Law, is it is for the common good of all. They...seat belts...have proven to reduce accident deaths. Really a no brainer at all. I always wear a seat belt...

1. While operating a Motor Vehicle
2. Flying in an Airplane whether as a Crew Member or a Passenger
3. Operating Heavy Equipment, etc.
4. When it is Mandatory which is pretty much on everything these days.

I'll leave you this thought...What goes through the mind of the vehicle operator right at impact? The passenger behind them...Buckle Up and LIVE....Argument Off...cr8crshr/tuck....:argue:

 

[Dennis H]

You are probably going to get your wish. We are headed for single payer health care, it's just a matter of time. eventually the government will be telling us what we can eat, drink and smoke because of the "costs to others" and for the "common good" Health insurance will soon be synonymous with government.

And as efficient as DMV!

 

[Dako]

In all the modern cars, yes. In the roadrunner, I wear the lap belt only. The shoulder belt is like an ancient decapitation device for me if I was in an accident in that thing. I will take my chance with the steering wheel versus turning my head into a bowling ball.

Had a high school classmate that drove a tow truck in 1980-81. He drug more than one vehicle back with teeth embedded in the steering wheel.

- - - Updated - - -

Then I think this should apply to smokers also for making health insurance so high with their stupid idea of second hand smoke doesn't cause lung cancer in non smokers!
The only reason states passed this stupid seat belt law is if they didn't the federal government was going to stop federal tax aid to help maintain and build roads in their state, because voters would have never voted it in as a law. Fact.

Well, I do know that smokers pay a higher premium for Life Insurance (not sure about health ins.) Maybe drivers not wearing seatbelts should pay higher premiums?

 

[WAYNES WORLD]

Started driving cars and trucks before I turned 13 and if it had belts I wore them. A lot of what I drove didn't have them but I liked the belts. I think as a kid it helped to keep me from sliding on the seats so I got used to having them. I started racing carts and had to wear them so when I was on the road I just clicked in. I continue to this day. Being in my AARP age I don't see me changing at this point.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

For the life of me I cannot fathom this type of thinking. It isn't "Logical" as Spock would say. If one still carries that type of resentment, from those days to today, to justify the not wearing of them, then they obviously have absolutely no self control and maturity to even operate a motor vehicle in the first place. It is the LAW!!! We are a Nation of LAWS. Therefore, what seems as tyrannical and over reaching in imposing this type of Law, is it is for the common good of all. They...seat belts...have proven to reduce accident deaths. Really a no brainer at all. I always wear a seat belt...

1. While operating a Motor Vehicle
2. Flying in an Airplane whether as a Crew Member or a Passenger
3. Operating Heavy Equipment, etc.
4. When it is Mandatory which is pretty much on everything these days.

I'll leave you this thought...What goes through the mind of the vehicle operator right at impact? The passenger behind them...Buckle Up and LIVE....Argument Off...cr8crshr/tuck....:argue:

I fail to see how seat belt laws are for the greater good. If one person is killed in an accident we ront all die.
We are a nation of laws. But government was not instituted amongst men to protect man from himself. If you feel its common sense, as I do, then wear it. But we have no right to tell others what to do. Who am I to say what is good or not for someone else.

 

[Finallygotmine]

I fail to see how seat belt laws are for the greater good. If one person is killed in an accident we ront all die.
We are a nation of laws. But government was not instituted amongst men to protect man from himself. If you feel its common sense, as I do, then wear it. But we have no right to tell others what to do. Who am I to say what is good or not for someone else.

I'm somewhere in the middle on this, but it comes down to insurance. If you get whacked on the highway and get killed, then you get buried and it's over. But, if you live and are paralyzed and you need care for the rest of your life, What you paid into insurance will not cover the 500k plus it will cost to cover your claim. It is about reducing risk in the pool of drivers.

 

[cr8crshr]

I'm somewhere in the middle on this, but it comes down to insurance. If you get whacked on the highway and get killed, then you get buried and it's over. But, if you live and are paralyzed and you need care for the rest of your life, What you paid into insurance will not cover the 500k plus it will cost to cover your claim. It is about reducing risk in the pool of drivers.

Exactly!!! Sometimes the Government does in fact have the right to dictate certain things. Without such types of Rules or Laws then anyone can run around doing exactly what they want and feel that it doesn't effect the rest of us. Really the argument is Moot. Just do it and buckle up. If you still decide not to then I will have absolutely no sympathy if something catastrophic befalls someone because they chose not to. To me the benefit to all completely out weighs the risk to just one individual or a few who remain reticent. I am now done with this topic...Rant Off....Carry on...cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Some need to realize that there are people out there that drive something like a toyota yaris with a auto because the clutch would be to much to handle, yes someone needs to write it down for them to put their seatbelt on. ie. Seatbelt law

 

[Budnicks]

A guy who i went to school with passed away in a single car accident the other night.

http://www.kbzk.com/news/madison-co-sheriff-identifies-local-man-killed-in-crash/

This makes it the 3rd person who i knew that has died not wearing seat belt and im only 27. Probly at least half a dozen more that i didnt know that where my age or younger in a town of 14,000.

I know im sure there is more to the story, but seems like everyone has there own opinions on seat belts. Im uber paranoid not wearing one

always 1st thing after putting the key in the ignition, maybe because of my racing background, but I always wear a seat belt, always have too, it's one of my good habits...

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Bottom line. Then only person responsible for you is you. But no. Government needs to pass laws cause people are too stupid. Then government assumes responsibility. Which of course means people can go on being as stupid as they want.
Got bad news for ya. Wearing a seat belt does not guarantee you won't be severely injured and how much insurance you have is between you and your insurance company.
People dont need to be told **** by me you or government.
This is why. This is why the country is going to ****. 10's of trillions in debt. Because everyone looks to big government to do what they should be doing for themselves. So dont tell me you have no sympathy, then demand government do something about it.

 

[HT413]

Yeah I use mine. Regarding seatbelt laws, I'm big against the nanny state, but seatbelt laws just make sense. They're no different than blinker laws or any other car safety measures.

 

[Joeyt66]

Don't liked to be forced to do anything. That said I can't afford to pay the fine!

 

[mosquito13]

i wear them in the the cars that have them . its the law.

 

[1970GTX]

This argument reminds me of the Darwin Awards. Fine. don't wear your seat belts. It will just help to improve the gene pool. "Culling the herd" as it were.
I'm outta here.

 

[fwi]

Always have!