Back Seat Seatbelts

[akiratubo]

Presonally, I always wear mine.  But I hate the nanny-state that tells me I have to.

Same.

Seatbelt laws for minors, sure.  Kids really are too stupid to understand the consequences.  But if an adult doesn't want to wear his seatbelt he shouldn't be forced to.  If he dies because of his stupidity, too damn bad.

[Jim H]

However, I do disagree with the motorcycle helmet requirement, which doesn't have such justification, or the rear and passenger seat requirements.

Every bit of data gathered says otherwise. Minor motorcycle crashes without a helmet become big injuries, plainly and simply. I've seen TONS of helmets that were brutally damaged and the user walked away, knowing full well that a skull wouldn't have fared so well, let alone all the things attached to a skull such as ears, noses. There's a reason you NEVER see someone riding a motorcycle in a sport and not wearing a helmet, or ever thinking about arguing against it. I saw a guy (or rather the aftermath of) dump his bike over while rolling it backwards out of his parking space and he was knocked unconscious. He hadn't put his helmet on yet, yet I've seen helmets take a much harder hit and not show any visible damage. Knocked unconscious = trauma to the brain.

You misunderstand me.  I was saying when someone on a motorcycle crashes without a helmet, the only person who is hurt by their decision to be unsafe is the motorcyclist himself.  Whereas, not wearing a seat belt as a driver of a car can hurt OTHER drivers/pedestrians.

[ghouck]

I understand. I read it as the "helmets are unsafe" argument, which is pretty retarded. Sorry.

But, , it does effect insurance rates and such, which is still a bummer.

[Rev. Powell]

In principle, adults should make their own choices, and take the responsibility for their own stupidity.   

I agree, but it's not that simple. If someone is hurt in a wreck, and they were not wearing a seat belt, how is it decided how much of the blame they carry for their own injuries, and how much to the other driver? That's one of the reasons for many of the laws we have: People often do not take that responsibility unless they are forced to do so. As much as I hate to admit it, the general public is better off with insurance being mandatory, because many people just weren't taking responsibility for their own actions, neither by opting for insurance on their own nor by getting themselves into a position where they could cover their own liabilities.

I agree, that's why I said "in principle".  Principles are simple, but in reality, things are always more complex.

[asimpson2006]

I always wear my seatbelt when I drive.  It's illegal in PA to drive without wearing a seatbelt as in our states" Click it or Ticket" program where basically if a cop sees you without a seatbelt on when driving, you get a ticket.  I'm not sure if the people in the back seat have to wear seat belts or not.  I would assume so but I have never had to drive any where with someone in my back seat, since I almost never talk others in my car unless I have to.