Why does the government feel they have the right to force seat belts on drivers?

Question

Luckily here in the beautiful state of NH we dont have to once we reach 18, but everytime i drive out of state i have to put it on or risk getting a ticket.

Now im aware that its more dangerous to not wear one, but as a grown adult (24) shouldn't i have the right to decide if i want to or not? I mean i can legally drink knowing that its bad for my liver, and legally smoke knowing its bad for my lungs.

Its a personal preference for me not to wear one, and i shouldnt have to explain that to anyone. Also, how does me NOT wearing a seat belt affect the government/police negatively? it doesnt and that makes it even more stupid

No i wouldnt, but once my kid turns 18 and is a legal adult? they can do whatever they damn well please, dont see why the government thinks they are any better

And what about people with insurance? if i got into an accident my insurance would cover it and i would pay the deductible, so why cant i still be without seat belt?

What it boils down to is they have nothing better to do than police lifestyle choices that they deem not acceptable in order to try and make us all think and act alike... its BS

Answer 1

Anyone with half a brain would understand this. Making it a law to wear a seatbelt, a protective device, keeps insurance rates and medical insurance premiums lower for the rest of us. That's just black and white. Why would you not want to wear one? Just to have something to rebel against? That's stupid. It is to protect you, if you care about your family it shouldn't be an issue.

By the way, as a police officer I would a lot rather cut someone out of a vehicle with a bruised chest that was wearing a seatbelt than scrap them and all of their unidentifiable organs and insides off the pavement because they were thrown through the windshield as a result of feeling as though they should rebel against a law the government made to protect them since people don't have sense enough to do it themselves.

Answer 2

The government states two reasons to force me to wear a seatbelt. The cost of hospitalization was a drain, and safety. I have health insurance, so I will not be a burden on the state; and the safety thing has been proven to be 50/50. Texas has a law that states all drivers must be insured, and they can now check for insurance by running your license plate. I think they should also be able to tell that I have full coverage health insurance the same way, so I do not have to wear a seat belt. When the cop pulls up behind me, and see's I'm not wearing my belt, he can run my plate and tell that I am fully covered, and move on to harrass the next law abiding citizen. Maybe we're looking at this all wrong. Maybe the only way to convince the morons in the big city the folly of their ways is to hit them directly. In places like New York people mostly walk everywhere, because cars are difficult to get around. Anyone that has walked in the city knows it far more dangerous, and the cars always win. Health insurance is not mandatory, and even if it was socialist health care, pedistrian accidents are a huge burden on the government. Americans are tired of footing the bill for stupid yankees because they lack the mental ability to drive. So, I think we need to pass a law that states if you walk anywhere in the country, you need to wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, hip pads, shoulder pads, shin pads, wrist braces, ankle braces, knee braces, and a full face protector. If you are ever caught without any of these things on, the fine would have to be huge, like 10k for the first offense, 50k for the 2nd, and 100k for 3rd. After that, you would be placed in federal prison the amount of years equeal to the amount of offenses (4 years for the 4th, 5 years for the 5th, and so on). Once that is passed, we need to make it includes bikes and skateboards. Finally, we add that politicians all must place their hands on a bible, and take an oath of truth before they say anything. If anything they have said is ever found to be not true, then they are to tried for lying, and stripped of their benefits and pay. So now, with these laws passed, we will never have to look at Pelosi's ugly face, politicians will always tell the truth, and presidents won't get elected because they have perfect hair.

Answer 3

For the same reason that the paramedics stop people from killing themselves. It's the governments responsibility to protect the people, whether or not we want to be protected.

As far as booze and cigarettes, that's all about money. The laws might change if you found a way to generate a billion dollars a year in tax revenue from not wearing your seat belt. The reality is that these laws are making money for the government, roughly $300 a ticket where I live.

Honestly, there's no reason for any grown adult to not wear a seat belt. Don't you have a family? Do you think they would like your body torn to pieces by glass before your head hits the concrete? I should hope not.

Answer 4

Seat belts save lives.

If you have someone else in the car you have as good a chance of killing them in a collision as killing yourself if you don't have a belt on.

It's a simple equation. At 50mph with a 160lb person the impact force against another object is around 6 1/2 tons.

Imagine killing a child sitting next to you because you wanted to "relax". If you carry insurance and drive alone then go ahead and don't wear a seat belt. There is nothing worse in the world then explaining to the other parent that their child is dead because mom or dad didn't buckle up.

Answer 5

It is the same mindset that dictates that one must be 18 to be considered an adult, but 21 before you can drink responsibly. For that matter, it is the same mindset that has millions of innocent people every day waiting in lines to take off their shoes and coats, have their carry on bages and laptops xrayed by people that barely know what they are looking for, and have to place any carry on liquids or gels in a quart sized plastic bag, all on the off chance that someone might manage to slip a bomb or bomd making materials onto an airplane.
It is all for OUR OWN GOOD. Haven't you read the papers, watched the news? We would kill ourselves out of carelessness if the government weren't watching. Of course there is the small matter of tainted toys and r=drugs and dog food from China, but we're safe!!!!

Answer 6

Jefferson stated that the purpose of government was to keep people from otherwise harming themselves and others. He, of course did not envision that people so stupid as to not want to wear a seat belt would ever be smart enough to afford a car.

Answer 7

I'm with ya. I think if you have insurance you should be able to ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet and ride in a car w/o a seat belt. Those laws should only apply to people who don't have health insurance to protect the rest of us from having to pay their hospital bills.

Answer 8

The government does not care about whether you live or die. But if you are hurt in a car accident for not wearing a seatbelt, you will impose on your health care plan (if you have one), medicare/medicaid, welfare and social security if you are disabled.

It is cheaper for corporations and the government to force you to wear a seatbelt

Answer 9

I like to compare seat belt usage to shoplifting.

Most everyone agrees that shoplifting effects everyone by driving retail prices up. Seat belts do the same for insurance rates. You even admitted it is more dangerous not to wear one, so you should agree the medical costs are higher for most who do not buckle up. Those high costs are passed on to us when we pay for our insurance.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Adminstration estimates $13 billion was saved last year due to mandatory seat belt laws.

Answer 10

Partly because people don't have the common sense to protect themselves. Mostly due to cost. The medical costs of someone in a collision without a seat belt are statistically higher than someone who was wearing one. For illegals and those without insurance the state pays that bill. Also car insurance rates go up since they are paying more for medical claims.

Would you allow one of your children to ride in the car with out without a seat belt on?