I've waited quite awhile to get on my soapbox about seat belts on the blog, for fear of sounding preachy or cranky-old-man-y. But it's getting ridiculous, especially in Missouri.
Three of every four Missourians do not wear their seatbelts. That makes me sad. But get this: 70% of people who die in traffic crashes are UNBUCKLED. For teenagers, the number jumps to 80%. And these are kids who have pretty much always been buckled by their parents. Now they're cool-kid James Dean move is to drive without a belt on? Really?
Here's the thing: We have a solution that would really help. It's called a Primary Seat Belt Law. Most states have it. Missouri doesn't.
Today, you cannot get pulled over in Missouri for not wearing a seat belt. If you get a ticket for something else, the officer can tack on a $10 seat belt fine. As you might have guessed, this is not particularly effective.
In states that have passed Primary Seat Belt laws, their usage jumped 10% immediately. Soon after their traffic death rates went down. This isn't rocket science. It's basic cause and effect.
Opponents cling to their rights of freedom and privacy (on a public roadway paid for with public dollars). Until they get in a crash. Then the expectation is for the insurance company (to whom all drivers contribute) or the government (to whom all people contribute) to cover medical expenses -- expenses that would have been greatly reduced by using a proven safety device installed in every vehicle.
I don't generally lean toward increased regulation of people's personal decisions, but in this case I believe it's appropriate to legislate some safety into our state, for the greater good of all.
Here's my ask:
1) Wear your seatbelt. Buckle your kids.
2) Take a look at the information on www.savemolives.com.
3) Join the converstation. I understand this is not a black & white issue, and I enjoy the discussion.
9 comments:
But Brian what happens if I crash and my car catches on fire, melting something that prohibits me from getting my seat belt off and as I'm burning to death, my car plunges into a river and begins to fill with water. Now I will not burn to death, but because the seat belt is stuck I will drown? In this case a seat belt took a life.
I'll take may chances and continue to ride unbuckled in case the foregoing happens; which is clearly more likely than any other type of crash.
By the way, I completely agree with you on seat belts (and the preference for a lack of regulatory control). Seriously, come on, just put on the seat belt.
I'm shocked at those statistics! I am the worst person I know about wearing a seatbelt, and I wear mine 98% of the time. (I forget things a lot)
So, yeah, if I notice anyone, I'll give them the speech and mean it!
Car manufacturers should make the seat belt warning a buzzer or something extremely annoying, can't be turned off, and gets louder every 30 seconds. How's that?
Dan and I buckle up.
The vehicle does not move until Phin is safely in his seat.
However, I do have a friend in another state who did not buckle up... until she GOT A TICKET for not wearing her seat belt. I don't know, but I think she uses it pretty consistently now.
I'm with DVD. Except for instead of an annoying buzzer how about a shock of electric current? It worked for Pavlov.
Seriously though - preach on honey!
Interesting variant
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
I disagree with Anonymous Spammer, your newer posts are not as good as your older ones.
I kid.
I like the Anonymous Spammer who gives compliments. Thanks, AS.
Post a Comment