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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