I guess there's the issue of the social cost of repairing the greater injuries seat belt refusers sustain in accidents. If we assume that insurance costs are set in part by overall medical outlays, and that seat belt refusers wind up with greater medical costs, then all our premiums go up because of their unnecessary risk-taking. Not saying that this is a definitive argument one way or the other, but maybe something to consider.

I got a ticket recently, driving from the store to my house, less than 1/4 mile.  And honestly that was stupid, but I'm pregnant and its really uncomfortable with the belt for me right now. 

Suicide laws are confusing too.

xoL http://jewishyirishy.com

Last week I was stopped by two cops who wanted to check my passport because they thought I was "suspicious". They didn´t care that I was riding my bike witout any light. I don´t know how it´s handeled in the US (I´m living in Germany) but in this country you have to pay a penalty of 20 Euro for not having the lights on. You also have to walk home. The police even follows you with the car to avoid that you use your bike.

Isn´t that disproportionaty? I wish they´d always take their job that serious.

If am to get in a car accident and hit the car in front of me, and the driver was stupid enough to not wear a seatbelt, and then went through the windshield and died, I would now have to live with the guilt of knowing I killed someone. I would also have to live with the knowledge that this person probably would have not gone through the windshield and therefore would not have died..if he/she was only wearing a seatbelt. So if you can't be smart enough to buckle up for youself...do it for others.

From what I understand, a disturbing number of "no-seatbelt"-related injuries sustained during car crashes are caused by your Jon Bon Jovi brother-type's bodies pinballing around the car and crashing into the people wearing seatbelts. It's pretty fucked up. But I mean, in even a moderate-speed collision, the human body is like nothing compared to the force of the impact.

Just to clarify, my brother actually does wear his seatbelt . . . but what I do find interesting is how he felt compelled to argue against wearing a seatbelt only because he was told he had to wear one by law. Human nature, I suppose, to rebel against gestures of authority that should perhaps only be ours to exercise.

Oh, of course. I didn't mean to single him out like that. Makes sense, what you said. Please send my regards to your brother and tell him I'll see him at summer camp this year.

It's a lie, of course, but maybe he'll get confused and self-conscious, and that's funny to me.

You're such a smart ass, Craig, but I'm cracking up...first laugh of the morning. Thanks.

You make your family sound like a bunch of hicks. Do they know that you use private family conversations for your stories?

That's kind of true Anon. I feel bad for them...

But Craig's comment needs to expanded upon. Yes, seatbelts save lives and prevent injuries, as do helmets for bikers. No, going at a low speed isn't going to help and yes, being in a car in which someone is unrestrained means being at risk. The issue is one of public health, and another one of those which people like you, Jewcy radicals, whom I have seen ardently defending volunteering and charity causes, must take up: for, as with most epidemics, by far the most frequent victims of motor vehicles incidents due to lack of seatbelt use are under-privileged populations (see for example: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/airbags/seatbeltshispanic2003/index.htm- ) Other populations at risk include those who do not have a chance to decide for themselves or to protect themselves, such as children: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5522a2.htm The statistics are unacceptable, and this is hardly a matter for laughter, I'm afraid. And if in your own case you like to toy with the idea of owning your own death, do be conscious that death is in no way a certain outcome of a car crash: rather, you may well end up paraplegic and having to contemplate the wiseness of your politics while someone has to help you with life's most basic needs. Please do check around rehab centres if you're not convinced by my words. And on spinal injuries following MVIs and how seatbelts prevent them, here's one resource amongst many: http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article835.html There is no shortage of evidence regarding the efficacy of seatbelts and the disasters of not using one. The reason this topic resonates so much with me is that, having practiced as an EMT in more than one country, I have been faced with the pain and suffering of both victims and their families far too many times. Again, this is a public health issue and should be adopted as a cause by any Jewcy radical.

First, I'm gonna go religious on this one:

God gave me this body. My life is a blessing. I can take that second (two if I can't find the buckle) to be grateful. And on days I'm not feeling not feeling particulary religious, I can at least take that gesture as an opportunity to tell myself that I love me and I'd rather have me than not.

People can get all defensive about their rights (a huge pet-peeve of mine). Fine. I'm not telling you what to do. But an opportunity to insert a little ritual, and ever so crucial gratitue, into my life is reason enough. Just the affirmation that my body is worth preserving is too good to pass-up.

Even better when a friend's in the car. "Buckle up or I won't put this thing in gear because I love you and you're too important for me to take that ridiculous risk."

我来自中国
我很高兴，见到你们在讨论这些东西。
在我们这里不说安全带，就是头盔都懒得带。

I come from China
I am very pleased, to see you in discussing these things.
We do not say that here in the seat belts, helmets are too lazy to take that.