I torn on seat belt laws. Yes, I should have the right to kill myself any way I see fit.
But it is also shown that drivers not wearing seat belts endanger other drivers. Still, I don’t support mandatory seat belt laws.
I also hate the rules that say I can’t put my kids in the front seat (fortunately, my state doesn’t have mandatory primary penalties for it, and my one child is old enough and the other large enough that I won’t be questioned anyway).
The “harm” of having my child in the back seat outweighs the minor chance of additional injury being in the front seat where I can watch them and ensure they are buckled and sitting straight. I do push the seat all the way back for them to get them farther from the air bag.
I do have curtain and side air bags in the back, so I’m not sure they aren’t in danger sleeping against the door anyway.
I wear a seat belt all the time both because it keeps me safer, and because I think my policy will punish me if I don’t and cause an accident.
“But it is also shown that drivers not wearing seat belts endanger other drivers”
What?
Anyway, the usual specious argument is “it’ll raise insurance rates”. Big freakin’ deal. If we go on these specious, ludicrous domino-effect reaction theories, EVERYTHING needs to be regulated because everything is affected by everything.
Another reason: my mother has claustrophobia. She has a problem with belts in particular (indeed, that’s what caused her problem, as a child by ruthless hospital workers), and just doesn’t feel comfortable wearing them.
Liberal answer: get therapy.
Sure, pay out all kinds of money for a minor problem that may never be resolved. Just to make her wear a freakin’ seatbelt. Or else she’ll be molested by police and fined.
Bottom line is SHE ISN’T HURTING ANYONE, including herself. The only hurt occurs on the FAT chance she has an accident.
What a total communist haven we are becoming, even pondering that this is OK to do. Founders would be absolutely appalled - even if we DID “vote” for it.
People who don’t wear seat belts endanger other drivers??? What? If this is the case, it’s because these people have less regard for their own safety and probably for other safe driving habits. If you think forcing these people to wear seatbelts will make them more cautious drivers you are crazy!