Do you wear a seatbelt?

[Shell Beau]

Poll question: Do you wear a seatbelt?

When I got my license, my father told me if he caught me w/o my seatbelt on, my car and privilege to drive would be taken away. So I've always worn my seatbelt. I feel naked w/o it. I always have it on w/o even remembering putting it on. It's like cranking the car for me.

[Modem Butterfly]

1. No I don't

It's easier to hold my beer, smoke a cigarette, and talk on the cellphone while driving if I'm not wearing a seatbelt.

[billyskank]

4. And of course how would you answer your emails?

:D

[Modem Butterfly]

8. Or spank my child?

[NoPasaran]

14. That's easy

http://www.arkon.com/laptop.html

[Mutley]

53. OMG!

Check out the woman in this pic looking at her PDA while driving! :wow:

[Shell Beau]

56. And, I don't think she has on her seatbelt!

:spank: :silly:

[Mutley]

82. No, she doesn't.

:wow:

[WeRQ4U]

78. Screw the PDA. Look at the dude surfing the net while driving....

With his computer OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. That may make reaction turns a little tough.

[Mutley]

81. At least in the pic he "appears" to be looking at the road.

But you're right. That site is unbelievable. :rofl: or :grr: I can't decide which.

[Shell Beau]

5. Sometimes a seatbelt makes those things

easier to do!!

[billyskank]

2. Yes, always, I also feel naked without it

In the UK we have very much had it drilled into us to wear our seatbelts.

[Shell Beau]

3. If I don't have mine on, I feel like I'm sort of floating.

[Modem Butterfly]

9. pssssttt....

Check your exhaust system. That floating feeling while driving might have nothing to do with your seatbelt!

;)

[Shell Beau]

13. It does tend to happen when I am still in my enclosed garage!

:shrug: ;)

[billyskank]

10. Yes, there's that sense of "argh! Nothing's holding me in my seat!"

:scared:

When I was in India, the taxis generally don't have seatbelts in them.* Just my luck that I have my first ever car crash in one of those things! x(

*They don't have seatbelts because they look like this:

[Shell Beau]

16. Yikes!

:scared:

[billyskank]

18. Yes, I was in Calcutta trying to make an early morning flight

The taxi driver fell asleep, or something; stopped steering and crashed into the central reservation. The car rolled on to its roof. :(

[Shell Beau]

19. Jeez! I'm glad you came out of it okay! I

guess that woke him up!

[billyskank]

22. Yeah, poor guy

My friend and I were unhurt (we even made our plane), but that must have really fucked up his day. And more. :(

[tjwmason]

41. Clunk-click - perhaps the most effective naff slogan

Always wear one here as well.

[caty]

6. I saw a TV

ad where a state trooper said that he had never unbuckled a dead person. When they passed the seat belt law, I was happy to obey it.

[youthere]

11. So what, they just left them there?

:shrug:

[caty]

33. He meant that in

every car accident he had been to, the survivors were wearing their seatbelt.

[Shell Beau]

12. My brother would be here today had he worn one.

I hate when people say "I would've died if I had mine on" For every person that dies b/c of a seatbelt, there are probably 100 or more that died b/c of not having one.

[youthere]

17. I had a very serious rollover accident several years ago

And I would have been dead with out my seatbelt-I would have gone through the windshield and probably had the car land on top of me.

[Shell Beau]

20. That is exactly what happened to my brother.

The car wasn't damaged too much, so we assume he would be here had he had on his belt. But he flew through the window and the car landed on him. They do save lives. You and I are a testament to that! Glad you made it out okay!

[magnetism]

27. watched a girlfriend of mine

smack her head into the windshield. I was driving. She was in the passenger seat. I told her to put one on. She never wanted to. Still didn't after the incident. It was pretty wild watching her hit. I reached my arm over to brace her. The whole thing moved in slow motion.

[Shell Beau]

28. Wow! She still doesn't?

I know what you mean by slo-mo. I've been in a few accidents and every one was like that. It seems you have a lifetime to think while it is happening!

[magnetism]

42. Nope.

amazes me.

That slo-mo is wild isn't it? It's almost like the brain takes in still images much like a video camera. Sometimes it has a high frame rate and sometimes a low frame rate.

[Shell Beau]

52. Yeah, I totally get the saying

"Your life flashes before your eyes" b/c in a sense, it does.

[SCDem]

7. I always do

but now I have my first new car and it basically yells at me every so often if I don't have my seat belt on :)

[trackfan]

15. I always do now.

It feels very strange without one. When I first started driving, in the 70s I never did. We would do anything to circumvent the alarms, etc. But by the time I was in my mid 20s I had heard enough gruesome stories to convince me that I should never go without.

[Wapsie B]

21. I do.

I figure why risk something like that.

[Shell Beau]

23. I agree! It's not worth the risk of the comfort.

But once you start to wear it, you'll feel weird w/o it.

[Wapsie B]

26. The last think I'd want is serious injury or worse.

Yes I feel naked without it.

[Mizmoon]

24. I know a girl who lost her front teeth on the steering wheel

I wear a seatbelt every single time always always always. I like my teeth.

[Reciprocity]

89. So do I. Needles to say she wears one now.

[johnnie]

25. Yup

I wear mine and if I don't I feel naked.
I want to live long enough to enjoy my cigarettes a bit longer.

[Shell Beau]

29. Ha ha! Yeah, I smoke too!

Funny how I'll try to save my life one way while shortening it in another.

[In_The_Wind]

30. Yes, the car beeps to remind me.

I would wear my seatbelt even if it didn't have a beeping reminder.

[Reciprocity]

31. You bet.

When I was seventeen both my parents were killed in a car crash. Things may have ended differently if they had worn their seatbelt.

[Shell Beau]

32. Wow! That had to be tough.

Sorry about that. I can only kind of relate since my brother was killed in an accident. I can't imagine losing BOTH of my parents. :hug:

[Reciprocity]

39. It was horrible. I'm 47 now and have learned to live with it.

My dad didn't die immediately like my mom did. We knew that one of them was dead when they ushered us into an office. I spent hours thinking of how life would be without one of them . Then after what seemed to be an eternity they told us both had died.

[Shell Beau]

45. It is hard to even

imagine going through that. And at age 17, which is a tough age to be. I know loss and it is hard. When you hear the news, it is like your worst nightmare. I was 18 when it happened to my brother (27 now), but I think I would have gone crazy if I was told it was both of my parents.

[no name no slogan]

34. Considering how many times I get pulled over, I have to

I get pulled over every few months it seems. If you're not belted up in MN, they slap you with an even bigger fine.

And the funny part is, I'm a very safe driver. I just can't stop speeding.

[hfojvt]

35. bicycles do not come with seatbelts

but I don't wear a helmet either, or gloves or knee or elbow pads.

[Shell Beau]

37. Watch out. The pavement isn't very forgiving.

I have always wondered why it is law to wear a seatbelt in a car, yet you can get on a motorcyle. But I am glad it is law. Whatever may save more lives.

[hfojvt]

43. neither am I

I pity the pavement that messes with me!

I hate those laws. "Big Brother says 'buckle up'"

[Tikki]

36. My son's ex's new husband has two.....

seat belt violations in one year. First one cost over $80.00 the second over $150.00. Both are considered infractions, but on the third violation he will be charged with a misdemeanor and the fine will get larger.
He was a passenger both times.



Tikki

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

38. Always. Even in the back seat.

I didn't wear my seatbelt until I got in a minor accident on the way to school in my sophmore year. That's all it took for me: a minor accident, and from that point on, I always put it on.

[William Bloode]

40. No,

Nor do i feel compelled to. I don't need the government making me wear a seatbelt for my own safety. Thats a personal decision the government has no buisness in. I might would actually wear on if it was not for the asinine seatbelt laws.

[Reciprocity]

47. I'm curious to know if you have signed an organ donor card?

[Shell Beau]

50. The last time I got my license renewed, I put

that I wanted to be one. It is kind of scary, probably kind of like writing a will. It is something you really don't want to think about.

[Reciprocity]

58. I did the same thing and also let my family know about it.

[William Bloode]

61. Oh yes,

And i am a donor. They are welcome to my organs when i am done with them.

[Reciprocity]

65. Good for you. I hope you have a long life b/f they use it.

[William Bloode]

72. I doubt i'll live that long,

But thanks anyway. I enjoy life, and i live my life on my terms for the most part. It has and can be dangerous. I was often told i would never live to see 30, i'm 38 now so i feel lucky. Theres so many ways your number can come up to worry about crap like that all the time. I may die young or younger than many, but at least i did not compromise my beliefs and feelings along the way, not to mention i had a hell of a lot of fun.

[Shell Beau]

48. If you choose not to wear one, okay that is your business,

but if you are not doing it just b/c it is the law, that is asinine. Seriously. Do you have loved ones? If so, you should at least wear it for them. Just my opinion and I speak from personal experience.

[William Bloode]

63. No it's not asiinine.

If i wish to protect myself it is my buisness, the state has no reason to be there. If i wish to risk my life to feel just a touch more free i have the right.

[Shell Beau]

64. Right and I said that is your business, but

are you thinking of others when you make that decision? And it is the law now, at least here. If something is known to save you, why is it asinine?

[William Bloode]

68. Yes i am thinking of others.

Just the same when i ignore any myriad of laws i disagree with. Someone has to take a stand and do what they feel is right. It is my obligation to not follow the laws i disagree with. And as far as it being THE LAW hahahahahaha! I don't care much for the law especially one that was made to protect me from myself. My whole life without fear i don't fear death so if it comes so be it. As far as my family goes i'll be remembered fondly and would hope they remembered and kept up my carefree way of life.

[Shell Beau]

75. That is all fine and dandy, but you

aren't necessarily protecting yourself from you. There are some crazy drivers out there. I am not sure if you have kids or not, but say you do, would you make them buckle up?

[William Bloode]

83. If i wish to protect myself that is my buisness.

My childeren are also my buisness, and they are too young to make that decision for themselves, so yes they get the buckle.

I am fully aware of crazy drivers, but i don't live my life in fear. I am not fearfull to ride my motorcycle in and amongst them, why should i fear them in a 3,000lb vehicle?

[Shell Beau]

84. Okay! I am very

pro-seatbelt b/c my brother was killed b/c he didn't have his on. And the accidents I have been in would have been a lot uglier if I hadn't had it on. But, it is your life. Do what you wish! :)

[William Bloode]

88. I lost my Grandad in a car accident.

And i miss him badly. I also lost two school chums. All 3 may have been saved by seatbelts. I miss them all and it hurts yes. But if feel that i should respect their wish to drive without the belt, it was their life and their choice. The world does not revolve around me, i have to let loved ones live their life as they see fit. Personal choice can be a bitch, but we do not need to control every aspect of folks lives just to save them from themselves.

[achtung_circus]

51. Well give some thought to the paramedics,

and firemen who won't have to scrape your body parts off the road because you weren't wearing a seat belt.

That's not what they get paid for (and that's tax dollars).

[Shell Beau]

55. I have to have the utmost respect for

someone who has to do that. I mean, how can you not take that home with you. I am glad people out there can do those things, b/c if everyone were like me, there would be no doctors, nurses, cops, firemen, paramedics, and so on.

[mosin]

70. Seatbelt laws

I respect and share your opposition to seatbelt laws, but I don't understand the logic of endangering yourself to protest the law. It's not like your going beltless is starting a groundswell of momentum against intrusive state laws.

I always wear my seatbelt, not because it's legally required, but because it's the right thing to do for me and my family.

[William Bloode]

73. Basically i am an outlaw at heart.

There are a whole plethora of laws i ignore. People have to draw the line somewhere. To me the seatbelt thing is kinda like smoking pot. If everyone who disagreed just ignored the law openly things may change. Besides i have a real problem with government laws designed to protect me from myself. If i wish to be self destructive it's my business.

[mosin]

74. Outlaws at heart

I can understand. I'm an outlaw at heart too, and there are many laws I ignore. But I don't usually ignore them just for the sake of ignoring them. If there's nothing morally wrong with something and if it doesn't endanger anyone else, I simply do the things I want to do.

And even though I'm personally a marathon-running health nut now, I'm all for the right of people to engage in personally self-destructive behavior, including smoking pot, driving without seatbelts, and riding motorcycles without helmets.

[William Bloode]

87. But it is morally wrong for the government,

too make laws that protect you from yourself. I hate to use a right wing talking point, but i hate nanny statism, and seatbelt laws are a nanny state type law. I am not ignoring it just for the sake of ignoring it. I ignore it because i deem unjust and a waste of time for the state to try and act as my parent.

I dig you on the whole health nut kick. I eat well and stay in very good shape. Though not for long term health as much as it is to allow me to live each day NOW to the fullest.

But for the most part we are in agreement, and i salute another outlaw who does not live their life in fear, or worry of what might happen. I also salute you for supporting people to engage in dangerous pursuits. Dangerous living is the livies call and i support it as long as it does not harm others directly or said persons are sane enough to make such decisions for themselves.

[hfojvt]

76. my whole point is that it is not self destructive

I drove a 12 mile route back and forth for three years before they gave me a seatbelt ticket. I was never in an accident, nor was I very close to an accident. So 1200 trips and 14,000 miles without incident, and yet not wearing a seatbelt is "self destructive" or some kind of huge risk? The risk of a ticket seems larger than the risk of an accident.

[miss_kitty]

44. Get in the car, close the door and lock it

key in ignition seatbelt on...always.

[obxhead]

46. T-bone a 20,000 gallon fuel truck in a mazda RX-7

and you'll know why you should.

[Shell Beau]

49. Jeez... I guess so!

:scared:

[obxhead]

57. yup

going 60 MPH at impact. Bad bruises and they had to use the "jaws of life" to get me out, but otherwise I was fine. Hurt for about a 6 months but I KNOW that belt saved my butt.

[Shell Beau]

62. Glad to hear it!

[supernova]

54. Yes, we have Click it or Ticket here in NC

Seatbelts are mandatory and you can be stopped expressly if you aren't wearing it.

The State Troopers drag out their Click it or Ticket campaign at the beginning of every tourist season.

The really fun thing is you can drive into some of the larger towns in NC and as you are heading into town, by the side of the road is a highway sign proclaiming the community participation response:

87% of Charlotteans wear their seatbelts! :crazy:

[Shell Beau]

60. We have that campaign too!

Not sure if it works or not.

[seemunkee]

59. My oldest friend is here today because of wearing his

He had a terrible accident and both he and the passenger had matching diagonal bruises from were the shoulder straps impacted. They walked away without any other injuries.

[u4ic]

66. Seatbelts have been mandantory

in Canada since I was a kid. So I literally grew up with them.

[ovidsen]

67. Anyone remember seat belt-ignition interlocks?

They were mandatory for new cars in the mid 1970s. You couldn't start your car unless your seat belt was buckled, which completed a circuit allowing your starter to crank. That's what my new 1975 Mustang II had, and I didn't like it.

Being the anti-authoritarian dipsh*t that I was at the time, I soon figured out how to disable the thing. (I found a wire under the seat, unlatched it, and ta daa!) Then I got to thinking that, maybe this interlock doohicky could teach me a good habit. So I reconnected it. About a month later, I was zipping along at about 45mph when I broadsided a car that had run a red light The car was totalled, but I walked away from it (so did the guy in the other car).

I'm convinced my face would have been hamburger (or worse) if I hadn't buckled up, and I've been buckling up ever since.:7:

[Shell Beau]

69. I think this is the most votes a poll of mine has gotten!

[ProfessorGAC]

71. Yes, Every Time. Even My Dog Wears One!

I've got the harness for the beastie. It has a loop of the same fabric as a seatbelt, hooked to loop big metal loops in the back. You put the seatbelt of the car through that loop and, voila, he's belted in.

We're just a seatbelting family, i guess.
The Professor

[Shell Beau]

77. Me too! My husband gets irritated

sometimes b/c I have to remind him to put his on (only sometimes though, he usually does it). I've had bad experiences, so I am very pro-seatbelt!

[ProfessorGAC]

86. I Drive A Ragtop

I buy used convertibles, drive them until the wheels fall off (i get at least 150k before i sell them off), and get a new (to me) one.

With no roof, i don't want the dog or anyone else becoming a missile because i hit the brakes to keep from hitting a kitty or a squirrel.

So, seatbelt it is.

Sometimes, the dog goes into the garage and just stares at the harness. That's his way of letting me know that he wants to go too!
The Professor

[Lilith Velkor]

79. Nope

I take public transportation. No seatbelts are offered at this time.

[MissB]

80. Yep. When I was a kid, I was in an accident and didn't have a seatbelt

I was sitting in the back shelf of my mother's Datsun 280Z (not an actual seat) and someone clipped us on the freeway. We were probably going about 60 mph. We spun across 4 lanes of freeway and hit the cement wall.

I'm really lucky there wasn't any permanent damage. That I know of.

[Guy Fawkes]

85. Hard time for seatbelt crime in Wisconsin.

Or is that gun crime...?

[Parche]

90. seatbelt

We HAVE to here in Oregon, as they voted on it,
i dont like to , i dont want the government telling
me what i can or cannot do inside my car
i did not vote for it

[tammywammy]

91. Always

Open door, but on seat belt, close door, start car. If there's a passenger, I won't start the car until they have it on either.

It feels weird to not wear one, even if it's just backing the car out of the driveway, I always put it on.

[bigwillq]

92. Yes, all the time (nt)

[Dave Reynolds]

93. Yes, but only because

the police are allowed around the 4th amendment and can peer into my car and see if I am not wearing it. Primary offense in Michigan. x(

[LynzM]

94. Always

I grew up that the car didn't move until everyone was buckled. Reinfored by two friends dying in high school, who both would have lived if they'd been wearing their seatbelts. I feel weird moving a car at all without being buckled in.

[ghostsofgiants]

95. I'm wearing one right now

Not really, but I do always wear them in vehicles. People who don't always come across as just whiney and disagreeable to me. I understand the argument against it being law, but not wearing one just makes no sense to me. It's not like it's a really big effort to put it on or that it's uncomfortable. I just don't get those people.

[NMMNG]

96. Always have, always will

It's always been the law since the day I started driving both in my previous state and now here, plus I'd wear it even if it weren't. I've been wearing it so long (over 20 years) that I feel naked without it.

[UrbScotty]

97. Always, always, always. (nt)

[flamingyouth]

98. Of course.