Pickup Owners: Do you buckle up?

[Ed of all trades]

You simply could not be more mistaken, but I'm sure nothing I could say would change your mind. Personally, like a lot of people, I don't like a law that only makes you protect yourself, so even though I wear seat belts all the time, and would be uncomfortable without them, I used to feel it shouldn't be a law that you HAVE to wear them. I used to ride motorcycles; didn't like the helmet law because there were lots of times when it was just too HOT.

However, there have been some studies done that concluded those laws don't just protect YOU because accidents that kill or cripple people cost all of us in the form of welfare or disability payments to some of those injured, higher insurance premiums for all of us, etc.

I've no doubt that each of us knows of several laws with which we disagree, especially if they affect us personally. Does that mean we should ignore and violate such laws? How about if everyone only obeyed the laws he/she agrees with?

Yep well said Bird

 

[k0ua]

As most of you that know me, know that I am rather conservative, and not for a lot of government intrusion into our lives. That said, I wear my seat belt. It is just the prudent thing to do. I have been to a lot of automobile accidents (ex LEO) and seat belts save far far more lives than they take.. It just makes sense to wear them.

This argument against wearing seat belts is very similar to the arguments about smoking. Those of you that smoke, how many of you in your heart of hearts think that smoking is beneficial to your health? Not many I would wager. But I have heard some smokers cite their "grandpa" or some such that lived to the ripe old age of 94 and smoked like a chimney. Yeah, OK, maybe so, but that doesn't mean you are going to be able to duplicate that record. In the vast majority of cases if you smoke, it will significantly shorten your life and the lives of those around you.

Not wearing your seat belt could significantly shorten your life also.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Back on 1988 I was a passenger in my own car. ( IROC Camaro ) We hit black going maybe 45/50 mph. Car spun into oncoming traffic and was hit directly on the passengers door by a car coming the other way. The impact pushed the inside of the door over the passengers seat and hit the driver on his right shoulder. I was ejected out of the TTop. Has I been wearing a seat belt, no doubt I wouldn't be here today. I still don't wear one today.

To be quite plan, that is a stupid reason and is hypothetical that you were saved by being ejected. Almost all people that are ejected from a car during a wreck die from the incident.

Likely the passenger (you) could have/would have been killed from this, although you likely were somewhat damaged from the impact, but still you should reassess the issue of seat belts in today's cars
The number of people killed because of wearing a seat belt is so low as to be almost nil when compared to the number of lives saved. Todays cars with air bags at steering and side impact air bags will plainly protect your more so than you will be from flying thru the air to impact with trees, other vehicles or pavement.

 

[stuckmotor]

I learned to drive in a car without seatbelts and old habits are hard to break. I buckle up when I get in, if I can remember. If I forget, the dag blasted beeper drives me crazy until I do. One day I'm probably going to get killed trying to reach into my pocket with the seatbelt on.

 

[ultrarunner]

Do you guys add seat belts to vehicles that don't have them?

I did add them to my Model T Speedster as it is totally exposed... no doors, sides or top.

When I was in Europe I learned they have a different take on seatbelts and most crashed cars are picked up with a crane...

Where I was there was no compulsory seat belt law... only that the insurance did not have to pay for injuries to a person was not belted... Europe has a very high incident of seatbelt usage.

 

[Bird]

Do you guys add seat belts to vehicles that don't have them?

My first showroom new car was a 1962 Austin Healey Sprite. They did not come with seat belts back then, but we sold after market seat belts in my Dad's auto parts store, and I installed a set in the Sprite. And when I became a police officer in 1964, our Ford squad cars had the lap belt; no retractors, no shoulder belt. And many officers never used them since there was neither state law nor departmental policy requiring they be worn. I used mine.

 

[bcp]

I've no doubt that each of us knows of several laws with which we disagree, especially if they affect us personally. Does that mean we should ignore and violate such laws? How about if everyone only obeyed the laws he/she agrees with?

That would mean citizens behaving like politicians and gov't.

Bruce

 

[oldpilgrim]

Do you guys add seat belts to vehicles that don't have them?

I did add them to my Model T Speedster as it is totally exposed... no doors, sides or top.

I don't have them in my 14 T Touring or in my 31 A roadster. The T has sides but only rise only about 6 inches above the seat cushion, so effectively there are no sides. In the A, you sit rather low and the sides are about arm pit high. I know of no one in our 60 member Model T club who has installed belts.

I've driven and ridden in my Dad's T speedster many many times with no sides, just a skinny bucket seat, and it's exhilarating ! (no belts).

 

[Creamer]

That would mean citizens behaving like politicians and gov't.

Bruce

So true!

 

[Creamer]

You simply could not be more mistaken, but I'm sure nothing I could say would change your mind. Personally, like a lot of people, I don't like a law that only makes you protect yourself, so even though I wear seat belts all the time, and would be uncomfortable without them, I used to feel it shouldn't be a law that you HAVE to wear them. I used to ride motorcycles; didn't like the helmet law because there were lots of times when it was just too HOT.

However, there have been some studies done that concluded those laws don't just protect YOU because accidents that kill or cripple people cost all of us in the form of welfare or disability payments to some of those injured, higher insurance premiums for all of us, etc.

I've no doubt that each of us knows of several laws with which we disagree, especially if they affect us personally. Does that mean we should ignore and violate such laws? How about if everyone only obeyed the laws he/she agrees with?

You said a mouthful Bird but I have to disagree. The seatbelt laws were to limit insurance costs for the insurance companies. They are the ones who wrote the laws for congress and pushed the issues to the public. I have to agree with Ultrarunner - it is as simple as insurance should not have to cover you if you were not using your seatbelt like Europe does.

Still - as you mentioned Bird - the problem comes in with the healthcare falling on everybody for smoking, reckless lifestyle, etc. There should be an opt out clause for stupidity.