Why is it a law that you have to wear your seatbelt?

Common Sense

I agree with you...

Jim K

Because public funds and resources are spent unnecessarily on people who don't buckle up and then get hurt in car crashes. And it affects insurance and hospital rates for ALL drivers, so it's not just an individual choice or matter.

Mordent

Because you are not just a risk to yourself you are a risk to OTHER PEOPLE. It's like saying "how dare those fascists demand I don't drink and drive, I'm the only one who's going to die" WRONG. What about the person you hit when you're flying through the windscreen? Or more importantly - what about the person in the seat in front of you that you slam into so hard it kills them?

For God's sake isn't it just safer for everyone to wear your seatbelt?

Emily S

So if you get in an acident you don't go flying of and kill your self they just want to protect you

Charles D

It becomes a public issue when it effects everyones' insurance rates and healthcare costs. Really, it's a small price to pay to keep down the costs of accidents.

TxSup

The state's function is to protect the health and basic well-being of its people. Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries; many studies shown this. If you don't wear your seatbelt, and sustain injuries, the state may wind up paying for your health care and other costs associated with your easily preventable disability. You'll also cost society some productivity either when you're laid up in the hospital temporarily or for the rest of your life if you're permanently injured. Not wearing a seatbelt is a fool's idea of freedom

Mrs. Brown

Wearing your seat belt will save your life

Paladin

There is no legislated law that compels a free man or woman to perform any such action. It is mere administrative regulation, not law, and it technically only applies to commercial motor vehicles, and it is presumed that you are subject to that regulation. It is presumption of law, not actual law that the State intimidates you into obeying.

kehkohjones

Yes, you are correct in your general assessment but wrong in the application. Because too many of those injured cannot rely on the pittance the insurance companies normally pay out. The insurance companies will not want to pay out monies because they rely on studies that indicate that there are less serious injuries MOST of the time if you wear your seat belt. Now, if you do not wear your seat belt you breached your agreement with the insurance company that indicates that you must wear one. If the insurance company doesn't pay, then you must rely on government funds.. and that can run into the millions of dollars if you live for a lengthy time in life-sustaining conditions, for example, and that costs the government and taxpayers monies that could have been put to better use if you had used the seat belt in the first place. There are reasons why seat belts are used...even by professional racecar drivers and pilots of airplanes... don't you think?

nellie

things could be worse. seat belt ticket is nothing compared to what cops are really doing. consider yourself lucky. and wear the pain in the butt seat belt. i agree with you about seat belt law,don't fight it, it's bigger then you are.

innocence faded

Isn't it lovely? While the cops are pulling over people just for not wearing seat belts, drunks are weaving down the road causing accidents where innocent people are seriously injured or killed. Not to mention those not paying attention to the road because they are talking on cell phones and writing down messages (my bosses do it all the time), putting on make-up while they drive, reading newspapers, etc. But let's just go after those people simply not wearing seat belts and driving properly!

silhouette

Rising insurance rates, deaths in accidents, just two of the common reasons. Saving one's life should take precedence over being disturbed by the so called "pigs" who have nothing to do but harass stupid people.

Hopeicouldhelp

it doesn't matter how old u are u should wear a seat belt. ppl drive crazy and you could unexpectedly get into an accident. if u have ur seat belt on then its a less likely chance that u fly through the windshield in an accident. hope i could help!

Nelson_DeVon

It is to help you live in case of an accident. It is your choice where to eat, but there are still health inspectors.

Sparkler

Because some people are not smart enough to realize seat belts save lives. Some people think there invincible and don't need seat belts .they are wrong, DEAD WRONG! That is why it's the law and we should all be glad it is. Obey it, DAMMIT!!!

powhound

A couple things that have not been said yet:

1) Insurance rates do go up for everyone. If nobody had to wear a seat belt, and so many more people were dying or receiving lifetime disabilities, all of our rates would go up to compensate this cost.

2) Seat belts prevent you from going through the windshield. Even at 5 mph, if you hit a lamp pole in a parking lot, that could put you through the glass, easily. It doesn't take much. People don't realize how easy it is to get hurt.

3) Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts, not as a stand alone safety device. Alone, an airbag will do probably more damage to your body than the crash itself.

4) Sounds like you got a ticket today? Sorry, just buckle up, and breathe a little! I was pulled over once for speeding, but the officer saw that I had my belt on, and let me go with a warning. Seat belts can prevent tickets as well!

retiredslashescaped1

This seatbelt law is part of the loss of our personal freedoms as once guaranteed by the Constitution.

However this is normal. When a society reaches a high level of comfort and security, the citizens of that society become willing to sell all their freedoms for even more security.

Several years ago, my messed-up daughter proposed to come visit us in Mexico. When I told her that the adults would have to hold the babies in their arms on the drive from the airport, she said, MY BABIES MUST BE IN THEIR CARSEATS."

I instantly told her she wasn't welcome to come visit me, period, end of debate. There are simply not the number of cars in Mexico as in the States, and so there is not enough car to provide separate car seats for babies.

But, there was more to it than that. Her whole attitude was we had to provide everything exactly the same as in the States.

So, this crap becomes insidious and people can't even imagine anything different and think there is something horribly wrong with any country that doesn't do it exactly the same way.

MMmm

Not everyone has health insurance, and a few hours in the hospital in intensive care can cost tens of thousands of dollars. You may think it should be your choice, but that is completely selfish thinking. You are not thinking of all of the people you could leave behind who can't stop thinking "If only they were wearing their seatbelt!" Or the paramedics and random people trying to help that will never forget the site of your crushed body that they have to clean up. Whether or not you think the government should decide, just wear your seatbelt!

merlin

one more step towards total government control

Andy J

Because I don't want to pay more taxes to treat people in the hospital who's injuries could have been avoided by simply wearing a F'ing seat-belt.

Nor do I want the person in the backseat to pile into the back of my head if we were to hit something.

You think you're the only one affected by your decisions? Grow up.

Kev

Because of the "nanny state." The government thinks it knows what's best for you, so it's decided that it's going to make your decisions for you.

wooleybooley

Another Big Brother is watching over you. We are not smart enough, so he has to help us protect ourselves. How many times do you read "he died in the crash-had seatbelt on ".

hmmm...

The goverment makes money on it. Thats all there is to it.

igi

so you do not die

coragryph

Because states can pass just about any law they want as part of their general police power for the safety of their citizens.

The (so-called) logic behind the law is that accidents without people being seat-belted result in higher medical expenses, much of which are picked up by the state, which raises taxes for everyone. Thus, to protect people, and reduce costs, such preventative measures are necessary.

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