Seat Belts

NC tractor driver · Jan 31, 2011

wvpolekat said:
I don't have a problem with adults not wearing them IF, they clearly mark the outside of the car that that they do not wish to have assistance from emergency responders and medical treatment. OR they have a $1,000,000 policy that will cover them and anyone else they injure in the accident while not wearing a seatbelt. I promise, after they price the policy, they will just buckle up. Parents with children in the car would be exempt from both and must always wear a seatbelt. This is only to prevent the emotional scarring the children would have after watching their parents die from their arrogance.

The other thing I would propose is that if you are in an accident, regardless of who is at fault, if you are not wearing your seatbelt you have given up any recourse for compensation. Same goes for motorcyclists who don't wear a helmet.

Seatbelts are not 100%, people can and do get injured while wearing them, sometimes even by them. But, the margin of safety they add is far greater than any risk they carry. If people aren't smart enough to see that, perhaps they should die in a car crash.

A little blunt, but I agree.

Duffster · Jan 31, 2011

If it is your time to go......... it is your time to go.

Bird · Jan 31, 2011

Duffster said:
If it is your time to go......... it is your time to go.

As the old story goes about that being told to the fellow going up in airplace the first time, and of course he asked, "What if the pilot's time to go comes?"

Duffster · Jan 31, 2011

Bird said:
As the old story goes about that being told to the fellow going up in airplace the first time, and of course he asked, "What if the pilot's time to go comes?"

And as Ron White said "Make sure you hit something hard, 'cause I don't want to limp away from this!":laughing:

Qapla · Jan 31, 2011

Bird said:
...I can understand someone thinking it feels odd to put that belt on, if you've not been accustomed to it, but it's not uncomfortable, and when you've worn one as long as we have, it just wouldn't feel natural or comfortable to move a car without having it on.

I would have to disagree on this portion of the comment. I have worn many belts that cut across my neck and are very uncomfortable. I have also worn ones that continue to retract the entire time you have it on. You have to keep tugging on it so that it will loosen up a bit ... then it goes back to choking mode.

I know that most of the newer belts are far more comfortable then those from back a few years ... but to say they are NOT UNCOMFORTABLE is where I have a problem with them (some of them)

The one in my Titan is fine. However, the one in my daughters car is so far back that I have to pull it out before I finish getting in or I have trouble reaching it to put it on.

I do not disagree with wearing them, I just don't think they should be able to ticket you if you don't. (Going out an a limb here) I might add, since they do make it law to wear them and can ticket if you don't, they should outlaw smoking while driving and ticket you if you do.

Bird · Jan 31, 2011

I do not disagree with wearing them, I just don't think they should be able to ticket you if you don't. (Going out an a limb here) I might add, since they do make it law to wear them and can ticket if you don't, they should outlaw smoking while driving and ticket you if you do.

I'll bet there's not a single one of us who doesn't think some of the existing laws shouldn't be laws, and also that some things we don't like should be illegal when they are not.:laughing:

And I'm no exception. I don't like laws that make you take care of yourself; i.e., seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, and many others. It so happens that I like seat belts, but I'd rather there was not a law that you have to wear it. But I can understand the reasoning behind the law. Whether that reasoning is right or wrong is something I really don't know.

wsp617 · Jan 31, 2011

Bird said:
I'll bet there's not a single one of us who doesn't think some of the existing laws shouldn't be laws, and also that some things we don't like should be illegal when they are not.:laughing:

And I'm no exception. I don't like laws that make you take care of yourself; i.e., seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, and many others. It so happens that I like seat belts, but I'd rather there was not a law that you have to wear it. But I can understand the reasoning behind the law. Whether that reasoning is right or wrong is something I really don't know.

How do you feel about the guy that doesn't like the seat belt law and doesn't wear it. One day he drops his cigarette in his truck. When he reaches down to pick it up he drifts off the road. When he tries to get the truck back on the road he over-corrects and rolls the truck. The accident leaves the guy paralized from the waist down. You're thinking "sucks to be him". But in the end he can't work, gets on a governmen run health care plan and collects disability payments every month. Disability payments that come from the tax payers like you and I.

You may not like "laws that make you take care of yourself" but sometimes people have to be protected from themselves.....

wvpolekat · Jan 31, 2011

wsp617 said:
You may not like "laws that make you take care of yourself" but sometimes people have to be protected from themselves.....

I don't see it as protecting them from themselves. I see it as protecting our tax dollars from them.

ironpig70 · Feb 1, 2011

Also where them when operating your tractor. Buddy who is an equipment operator had a coworker roll a 3-5 ton roller and the guy was not wearing his seat belt because he felt if he rolled he would jump off. Well he decided to jump off the roller on the up hill side. The roller hit hard and bounced up hill and killed him. Would he lived if he stayed on? I do not know that but looking at my tractor I know the ROPS sticks way above my head so if upside I feel there would be a space created by the ROPS.