[unixfox]

I now live in a state where we are not required to wear helmets

Same in Texas. You can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, and yet seat belts are required to drive a car. So when they claim it's about "your safety" it's complete bullshit. It's about money. Period.

[jmacusa]

Seat belt laws aren't instituted for public safety. Seat belt laws are instituted by the state so it has an excuse to have it's armed agents intrude into your freedom to travel about freely and also collect fines from not wearing them.