The ultimate PSA

[Overdriven]

I'm not against seatbelt or helmet laws, hell I want a 5 point harness for my daily driver. But I do agree with BrianG about some things being ridiculous and shoved down our throats. The reason we have them is not for families sake though, its for the insurance companies. Sates with tougher laws regarding seatbelts, helmets, dwi, etc get a better rating from insurance companies, and usually better rates on some parts of their policy. Insurance companies also lobby for these laws to reduce injury and the amount of money they have to pay out for those injuries.

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

I'm not against seatbelt or helmet laws, hell I want a 5 point harness for my daily driver. But I do agree with BrianG about some things being ridiculous and shoved down our throats. The reason we have them is not for families sake though, its for the insurance companies. Sates with tougher laws regarding seatbelts, helmets, dwi, etc get a better rating from insurance companies, and usually better rates on some parts of their policy. Insurance companies also lobby for these laws to reduce injury and the amount of money they have to pay out for those injuries.

Hmmm.. that's prolly true. On the upside, it should mean better rates in states w/ competitive markets

[rawfuls]

I've heard horror stories from my brother, whom is taking Med School over in West Virginia.
Of their driving

[BP-Revo]

I agree that the government should just leave things up to the person.

Drugs - if the person is stupid enough that he wants to drugs, fine. Just tax the drugs like crazy and tax our income less.

Seatbelts, I disagree. the reason being is that without a seatbelt they can turn into a projectile that can be lethal to people other than the one not wearing his seatbelt.

I heard of an instance where someone in the back seat was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown forward and went over the chair of the person in front of him (who was wearing their seatbelt) and broke the neck of that person. (I'm unsure weather the person who wasn't wearing his seatlbelt lived or not).

I think some laws need to be taken with a grain of salt. I believe it is illegal to drive barefoot wear I live, but i drive barefoot nearly every single day. The reason is I generally wear flip-flops. And by flip flops I mean I have a strap over the top of my foot near my toes, and that's it - the back is unsecured. If I were to keep them on when driving, the back would catch all the time and keep the throttle/brake/clutch down and I would lose my ability to react quickly. Because of this, I always slip them off when I drive.

[MetalMan]

Originally Posted by BP-Revo

I think some laws need to be taken with a grain of salt. I believe it is illegal to drive barefoot wear I live, but i drive barefoot nearly every single day. The reason is I generally wear flip-flops. And by flip flops I mean I have a strap over the top of my foot near my toes, and that's it - the back is unsecured. If I were to keep them on when driving, the back would catch all the time and keep the throttle/brake/clutch down and I would lose my ability to react quickly. Because of this, I always slip them off when I drive.

Is that really true? I drive every morning without shoes 'cuz I too wear flipflops... (to practice) Not to mention my Audi's clutch has no feel and without shoes it's easier to control the engagement point.

IMO seatbelts are a good idea. When I was growing up my mom wouldn't drive the car until my sister and I had our seatbelts on. Strapping in and unstrapping are always the first/last things I do when entering/leaving a car.

[BP-Revo]

Originally Posted by MetalMan

Is that really true? I drive every morning without shoes 'cuz I too wear flipflops... (to practice) Not to mention my Audi's clutch has no feel and without shoes it's easier to control the engagement point.

IMO seatbelts are a good idea. When I was growing up my mom wouldn't drive the car until my sister and I had our seatbelts on. Strapping in and unstrapping are always the first/last things I do when entering/leaving a car.

I'm not sure what it is a result of, but I feel weird if I'm in a car without a seatbelt on. I guess after so long I feel the need to have that belt across my waist and chest when I'm in a moving vehicle.


After doing some research, it seem that I was incorrect - it is indeed legal to drive barefoot. I was told by someone about 5 years ago that driving barefoot was illegal, but I didn't pay much attention to that anyway.

[zeropointbug]

On average, I think it's much better to wear your seatbelt. Although, I agree that these stupid 3 point belts are not very good at all, they do allow alot more flexibility in the car (or am I wrong on this assumption?).

Anyways, I say it is ridiculous for it to be law to wear one, especially when you are alone in the car. The only reason why it is illegal is just another control tactic by government and insurance companies.

I am sure the amount of circumstances that no belt has been more fatal than not wearing one is the same to that of the amount of accidents caused by the cops chasing after a vehicle that refuses to pull over, especially when they are speeding... JUST LET THEM GO! He will most likely slow down later down the road, instead the cops have a power trip and put everyone's life in danger.

[BP-Revo]

Originally Posted by zeropointbug

...the cops chasing after a vehicle that refuses to pull over, especially when they are speeding... JUST LET THEM GO! He will most likely slow down later down the road, instead the cops have a power trip and put everyone's life in danger.

That I disagree with, cause usually the people who run are running not because they don't want a ticket, but because they are wanted for a crime far far worse.

[nitrostarter]

Being a firefighter has allowed me to see both sides of the story. From past history of the calls I've worked, I would split it down the middle where seat belts killed people and where not wearing the seat belt killed people. Its rather shocking to know that sometimes its better to be thrown around inside your vehicle, or be ejected, rather than be strapped down to the seat.

I know the safety commission and insurance companies do their testing with controlled environments and dummy vehicle. But how many of them take data from actual crashes and analyze the situation.

Or how many of these studied are tainted by paid indivuals or higher authorities to scare us into oblivion some more.

I personally don't wear my seat belt, have received numerous citations for it($25 each), and I still won't wear it. I catch shit from the family and girlfriend all the time. I tell them I'm working on the studies. That if we are to get in a crash, if the seat belts helps or hinders... Needless to say, they don't like that...

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by nitrostarter

Being a firefighter has allowed me to see both sides of the story. From past history of the calls I've worked, I would split it down the middle where seat belts killed people and where not wearing the seat belt killed people. Its rather shocking to know that sometimes its better to be thrown around inside your vehicle, or be ejected, rather than be strapped down to the seat.

Not trying to start anything, but I find this kind of hard to believe. Let me clarify, I find the 50/50 part hard to believe. Mostly because the only accidents I can see it possibly being better to not be buckled in are rollovers. And even then you'd only want to be ejected if the roof was going to end up being completely flattened. Because any frontal collision, I'll take the crappy 3 point belt over kissing the windshield or steering wheel anyday. And yes 3 point belts are crappy, they should be 4 point with racing style adjusters instead of the self-retracting setup used now.

[RCShocker]

I agree with many.

Ignorance is not something that should be regulated by the goverment. I guess they want to keep everyone alive as long as possible so they can TAX us to death.

It falls back onto what I have heard my father say many times. "If you are gonna be stupid, you better be tough".

[rootar]

after my head knocked out the windshield of my Nissan when i totaled it, and i was knocked out for 45 minutes i started wearing my seatbelt. the damn airbag didnt go off until my head was in the windshield which did nothing but hit me in throat.

[MTBikerTim]

Seat belts should be compulsory. Just like having heavy objects unrestrained in the cabin is stupid. There are many accidents where seat belts have killed people but would the person really have survived if they were unrestrained. I know of one accident where a driver was unrestrained and that was the only reason he survived. I've seen far cars with fairly minor front end damage and a nice big head print in the front windscreen. Thank fully that doesn't happen that often here as seat belts have been compulsory for a long time.

Compulsory seat belts force parents to strap in their kids as well. Kids don't pay attention to the road and whats happening and even a small impact that the driver can brace themselves for will send a child with no steering wheel to hold on to flying.

[youtube]wQkazYRQLz8[/youtube]
[youtube]uwMW9ArbyTs[/youtube]
[youtube]BRo-2THXaOQ[/youtube]

[RCShocker]

I remember over 20 years ago that driving in NC with bare feet to be illegal. Ran out to get a pizza real quick for the rent's one night, got pulled over, and was doing all I could to keep my 11.5's tucked under the front seat.

[BrianG]

I really don't understand the insurance company angle. If that were so, why isn't smoking and drinking banned? Smoking causes cancer, drinking causes liver damage; both of which result in potentially huge medical/life insurance claims. I just can't help wondering when will the control stop?