Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site houem.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!houem!hgp
From: hgp@houem.UUCP (Howard Page)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: manditory seatbelt laws ???
Message-ID: <256@houem.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Jun-84 10:49:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: houem.256
Posted: Tue Jun  5 10:49:02 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Jun-84 06:37:39 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 45

<.>

New subject: mandatory seatbelt law

In line with all the tough talk about drunk driving,
I would like to propose an idea that might save
additional lives, a mandatory seatbelt law.

As best memory serves me, I believe about 10%
of Americans wear their seatbelt. There is a
mandatory seatbelt law in the Federal Republic of
Germany and the percentage of seatbelt use there
is about 80% (however, is this due to the mandatory
seatbelt law ???).

A variation of this idea could possibly be to have
a law which says, while driving in a car, one must "use
every available resource to protect oneself from
injury."  So, if one is not wearing his/her seatbelt,
and is involved in an accident in which another party
is at fault, the other party's liability for the
first party's injury would be limited.

The reduction of injuries due to car accidents is
a goal our society should work toward both for
the general public welfare and to reduce our
outlay for health care. I, however, have
my own selfish motivation for a mandatory seatbelt
law.  I wear my seatbelt. I pay $900/year for insurance
in NJ (with a clean record). I do not wish to
purchase a car with airbags. I believe those who
take the initiative to protect themselves should
not support the rest.

But, this country has too many laws already. I also
believe our problem solving ability leaves something
to be desired when we simply make a law when
there appears to be a problem. So, I think that any
additional laws such as the ones I suggested must
be thought through very carefully before enacted.

The question is, "Will it work?"

Howard G. Page
..!ihnp4!houem!hgp