Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!aplvax!richard From: richard@aplvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto,net.flame Subject: seatbelts make sense Message-ID: <153@aplvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 1-Jul-83 13:37:38 EDT Article-I.D.: aplvax.153 Posted: Fri Jul 1 13:37:38 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Jul-83 22:49:54 EDT Lines: 33 I want an airbag system and a passive restraint system in my car. Should I have an accident, I want my passengers and myself to survive. I also want anyone else involved in the accident to survive, with as little damage as possible. I would like to see the seatbelt laws enforced. It's a tragic waste for so many people to die needlessly because they thought that seatbelts were a "bother." Seatbelt laws are no different from other life-saving legislation such as housing codes or drug testing. All this legislation mandates behavior that is good for society, at a cost that is outweighed by the resulting benefits. If I'm involved in an accident that results in physical injury to another person who is not wearing a seatbelt, I want my possible liability to be limited to the injury he would have sustained had he been wearing seatbelts. It is unreasonable not to wear seat belts. Not wearing seat belts results in more people having worse injuries; it means higher insurance premiums for everyone. Are those people who oppose these systems on the basis that they are intrusions into their "personal freedom" also bothered by the intrusions that result in safer tires, brakes, steering, etc.? Are they bothered by the intrusions that make their children's pajamas flame retardant, or the intrusions that make their homes safe from electrical fires? Why don't these people grow up ? - Rich Greenberg