Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!whuxlb!pyuxll!abnjh!filed01 From: filed01@abnjh.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: re: seatbelts and freedom Message-ID: <195@abnjh.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Jul-83 16:11:45 EDT Article-I.D.: abnjh.195 Posted: Wed Jul 13 16:11:45 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Jul-83 06:03:59 EDT Lines: 13 After always having worn seatbelts (since 1956) and never needing them, I was involved in a collision which did $ 1500 damage to my car, but left me without a scratch. They work. To those who argue that wearing seatbelts is a personal decision: the consequences of not wearing them (or helmets if you are a motorcyclist) go beyond the personal. Add up the hospitalization costs, costs of lost income, burial costs, welfare for the surviving family, etc. Unless you are rich enough so that these costs will truly come out of your own capital when in an accident, I will have to pay my share in increased taxes, insurance, reduced dividends, etc. Society therefore has a legitimate interest in minimizing injuries or deaths to its members.