Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!microsof!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ixn5c!inuxc!pur-ee!ecn-pc:ecn-ed:parent From: ecn-pc:ecn-ed:parent@pur-ee.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto,net.flame Subject: Re: seatbelts make sense Message-ID: <124@ecn-ed.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Jul-83 21:06:41 EDT Article-I.D.: ecn-ed.124 Posted: Wed Jul 13 21:06:41 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 8-Jul-83 16:32:50 EDT References: aplvax.153 Lines: 30 It seems that in Canada (well, British Columbia) you are legally required to wear seatbelts. If you are not you can be cited, and the police are able to stop you and check. They usually won't stop you to see if you are wearing your seatbelt, but are sure to get you for it if they stop you for something else (speeding, running a stop light, etc.). There is also some law that limits the amount of damages an insurance company is liable for if they can prove you were not wearing a seat belt. Some landmark case happen a few years ago in which some woman was hit by a truck (the truck driver was determined to be at fault) and was badly injuerred and was partially paralized, but because she was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident the lawsuit she filed against the trucker (for some vast amount of money) was thrown out of court, and the insurance company had to pay only what was stated in the trucker's policy. While it is unfortunate that the woman was badly injured, I would not want to be sued for more money than I'll ever make in my whole life just because someone did not feel their health was not worth the time it takes to fasten one's seatbelt. I was fortunate one rainy night when I lost control of my car on a curve at the top of a hill and ended up upside down in a ditch at the side of the road. Of course, I was wearing my seat belt and was still firmly in my seat when the car came to rest and was not harmed in the least my car, alas, was not so fortunate. ---- Stefan Sobol ---- end