Some spokesman says Governor Corzine should get a citation for not wearing a seatbelt.

[sandrakae]

I beg to differ. The state trooper driving the car should get the ticket. I do think after he recovers he should do a public service announcement on the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/14/corzine.crash.ap/index.html

Corzine, 60, who was riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by a state trooper, apparently was not wearing his seat belt, as required by law. (Watch chief of staff say injured governor should get a ticket for no seat belt )

I personally do not wear a seat belt in my car. I just don't feel comfortable in one. I took my 12 year old niece bowling last week. It has been a while since she was in my car. She got in and looked at me and said," do you have a seat belt rule? I said "Yes you must wear a seat belt." She put it on. I told her to wear a seat belt no matter whose car she is in. It is the drivers responsibility to see that the passengers wear a seat belt. Out of respect when I get in someones car, I wear a seat belt. Why should they get a ticket for me.

[MADem]

1. No offense, but I think you should wear a seat belt if you have passengers in your car

What if you get T-boned and your ass gets slammed into your front seat passenger? You could cause a shitload of damage to someone by not doing that simple, smart thing.

For that matter, you could sail through your own windshield and land on someone, hurting them badly. Less likely, but possible, nonetheless.

I think you should just learn to deal with the seatbelt.

Corzine should get a ticket. And the Statie should be counselled. Two wrongs never make a right.

[Alexander]

4. Agreed!

[Tellurian]

35. Wasn't most of the damage to Corzine's

vehicle sustained on the passenger side, and the way I understand it, the vehicle careened into the guardrail on his side.
Is this accurate information?

[Tellurian]

48. Why I asked this question..

That none of you cared to answer is...it's possible that if Corzine WAS wearing his seat belt, he may have been killed.

[MADem]

51. Hey, not everyone is on line around the clock. As for your question, let's see what

Google--that YOU could have used quite easily and reported back to us, had you really considered the info so important that it needed to be added to the discussion at once--turns up. You're looking for "proof" that he would have been better off without a seatbelt, but his injuries don't bear that out. Everyone else in the car (seatbelt wearers) has been released. His airbag didn't deploy. He broke ALL of his ribs. His leg bone poked through his skin. His injuries sound like he "kissed the dashboard" at the very least:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-12-corzine-car-accident_N.htm
His injuries include a thigh bone broken in two places that had lacerated his skin, a broken sternum, six broken ribs on each side, a head laceration and a minor fracture on a lower vertebrae.
...The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the parkway in Galloway, Atlantic County, about three miles north of the Atlantic City rest stop.

According to Fuentes, a small red pickup that had been driving erratically, narrowly avoided hitting a berm along the shoulder of the road, and cut left into the path of a white Dodge pickup that was driving ahead of the governor's motorcade.

Rasinski tried to avoid the white pickup and spun the governor's Chevrolet Tahoe into the guardrail. Fuentes said the passenger side of the vehicle hit the guardrail. He said the governor's vehicle did not overturn and there was no fire.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/14/nyregion/14corzine.html?em&ex=1176696000&en=b65911a30249e326&ei=5087%0A
Both Robert J. Rasinski, the state trooper driving the car, and Samantha Gordon, the aide in the back seat, were apparently wearing their seat belts. Mr. Rasinski left the hospital at 5:15 p.m. Friday. Ms. Gordon was sore, but otherwise uninjured....The Suburban slid into the end of a guardrail, which “penetrated the vehicle, and struck both Rasinski and Governor Corzine,” according to a police report.

Mr. Corzine’s left thigh bone, or femur, was fractured, and it punched two holes through his skin. He lost about half of the blood in his body, requiring seven units during surgery Thursday night, and broke six ribs on each side, along with his sternum, collarbone and a lower vertebra.

...Why did the front airbags — standard on a 2005 Suburban like the one Mr. Corzine was riding in — fail to deploy? Who is in charge of making medical decisions on behalf of Mr. Corzine, who was divorced in 2003? (An aide said on late Friday that he has a living will, but declined to provide any details.)

....And why was Governor Corzine not wearing a seat belt, which is required by the law in his state? New Jersey was the second state in the nation, after New York, to make seat-belt use mandatory, the law taking effect in 1985. But ever since the law was upgraded in 2000, allowing the police to pull over drivers whom they suspect are not wearing seat belts, seat belt use has been rising, with 90 percent of drivers and front seat passengers in New Jersey wearing them in 2006, the eighth-highest rate in the country, according to a federal traffic survey.

Mr. Shea said that Mr. Corzine had worn his seat belt most of the time he was traveling on Thursday, even though friends have long said that they have rarely seen him wear one. But Mr. Shea said that for some reason, he did not appear to wear one when the accident occurred....Asked if the trooper serving as his driver and protector might have tried to persuade the governor to put on his seat belt, Mr. Shea, alluding to the governor’s headstrong nature, said, “Those who know Governor Corzine know that he is not always amenable to suggestions.”

http://wjz.com/topstories/topstories_story_104173926.html
Corzine — who was riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by a state trooper and headed to a meeting between radio show host Don Imus and the Rutgers women's basketball team — apparently was not wearing his seat belt, as required by law. The crash occurred Thursday evening on the Garden State Parkway near Atlantic City. Corzine's SUV was hit by another vehicle that swerved to avoid the pickup truck, sending the governor's car into a guard rail....The accident occurred Thursday, when the SUV Corzine was riding in was clipped by a vehicle that swerved to avoid a red pickup truck that officials said was being driven erratically. Corzine's vehicle slammed into a guard rail along the Garden ...

[Tellurian]

55. Thanks MADem..

you're a sweetheart for taking the time..

And I am addressing Corzine's injurys. Seeing that he, apparently took the full brunt of the guardrail piercing the vehicle. The velocity of the impact catapulting Cozine to the rear of the vehicle resulting in more injuries, may have actually saved his life. Had he been strapped in place by his seatbelt, he may have been skewered or fatally severed by the metal guardrail entering the vehicle.

I guess, we'll just have to wait for more info.. But thanks anyway for providing what is currently available.

The reason, I am curious is my parents were involved in a similar accident. Neither the driver or passenger were wearing seat belts. My parents were sitting in the back seats. The car was hit as Corzines was by a third party and after their car was struck, careened over an embankment rolling several times until finally coming to rest right side up. The occupants of the front seat were catapulted into the back seats none were wearing seatbelts. My Dad was able to crawl out through a window to pull the front seat occupants out who were resting on my Mom who was caught beneath at the bottom of the pile. She was wearing her seat belt. My Dad was not.

[Madspirit]

81. No

They said his injuries were the result of NOT wearing a seat belt. He was tossed all over. That's how most people who don't wear them are injured or killed.
Lee

[MADem]

50. Dunno. I do know he was horribly hurt. NT

[seabeyond]

52. yes, the car spun around to his side door, and hit his side while other two passengers on other side

of car. it would be a given that the person on the passenger side of the car sittin in the spot where car is hit by the guard rail is the one that is most injured. but... instead we like to ignore all the facts to state the reason for his injury is lack of belt as opposed to being at the impact.

brite

then people call him stupid

[eyesroll]

2. Nope -- the gov is responsible. I looked up NJ's seat belt law on Lexis-Nexis.

§ 39:3-76.2f. Seat belt usage requirements for persons ages 8-18; driver's responsibility
a. Except as provided in P.L. 1983, c. 128 (C. 39:3-76.2a et al.) for children under eight years of age and weighing less than 80 pounds, all passengers under eight years of age and weighing more than 80 pounds, and all passengers who are at least eight years of age but less than 18 years of age, and each driver and front seat passenger of a passenger automobile operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system as defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 209.

b. The driver of a passenger automobile shall secure or cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system, as defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 209, any passenger who is at least eight years of age but less than 18 years of age.

So, the Governor is indeed responsible for his own seat belt usage -- otherwise, the law would have stated (in part b) that the driver is responsible for proper seatbelt use by all occupants, period (assuming he was in the front seat -- if he was in the back, he didn't need one legally.)

(you can find a basic rundown here: http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/seatbelts.html#2, which explains the governor's responsibility more clearly)

[madfloridian]

9. Why you guys going after the Governor while he is intensive care?

What the heck?

[eyesroll]

12. I'm not going after anyone -- I'm just correcting the OP.

I personally don't care whether he's cited or not. But I am a stickler for getting the law right if you're going to bitch about it.

[Spinzonner]

3. yeah, he's going to brush off the critical injuries

but the citation will really convince him.

[madfloridian]

5. The governor nearly dies....and we attack him for a seat belt.

I find that offensive.

[seabeyond]

53. i find it offensive too. something about our society today that is truly offensive

in my book. to the point of sick. and it isnt just with the seatbelt issue. this is part of the human that is developing of late that turns me off.

[LiberalEsto]

6. I think he's learned his lesson

From what I understand the troopers try to get him to wear a seat belt, but Corzine refuses. So what's the trooper going to do, risk his job by getting into a fuss with his boss the governor?

Somehow, I think the importance of wearing a seat belt will finally get through to Corzine after this accident.

[seabeyond]

54. good lesson. DONT sit at the point of impact in an accident. n/t

[pscot]

7. Boy, talk about kicking a guy when he's down

The quality of mercy seems somewhat lacking here.

[madfloridian]

8. It's painful to see it.

I have not said anything in case someone jumped on me about taking up for lawbreakers.

He deserves some respect, and I would fire that aide of his who spoke out of turn.

[madfloridian]

10. So....shall we arrest him before or after he gets out of intensive care?

And when did DU become so punitive toward a person who nearly died?

No wonder folks here were defending arresting and tasering 5 and 6 year olds. It's become a mindset.

Little concern for the Governor's future, lots of concern about a seat belt and whether you can charge him.

:shrug:

[electron_blue]

25. well, he's getting preferential treatment. A friend of mine was ticketed in the hospital

after he was hit by a car, while riding a bike. He did not have right of way and got a ticket for it. The officer wrote it as my friend lay in the hospital bed.

Why should the governor get preferential treatment?

never mind, silly me. Of COURSE he will get preferential treatment. But to answer your question - no, he shouldn'lt be arrested, but give him a ticket.

[madfloridian]

26. Why is the ticket more important than human compassion right now?

I think they should just put him under arrest and make sure he gets justice due.

[electron_blue]

27. As I see it, compassion comes from the judge, not the officer

Anyway, I don't really care. He's just one of thousands who got in a wreck last week and didn't wear a seatbelt.

[madfloridian]

28. How cold you sound.

Like the others don't matter either.

[electron_blue]

30. I'm sorry, I don't mean to. Just having a bad day.

[independentpiney]

36. you don't get arrested for it, it's a summons

you're blowing this way out of proportion and taking people way out of context.

[madfloridian]

40. Stand back and read the thread objectively. Then do a search

on corzine here at DU. My point will be made.

[independentpiney]

42. I honestly think you're the one who needs a little objectivity

and since you're accusing people of showing a lack of compassion in this thread, and inferring that people in this thread are calling for him to be arrested in the icu, there's no reason to search du.

[independentpiney]

11. This NJ driver and strong supporter says he should get a ticket

the same as any other NJ driver or adult passenger who was found not to be wearing a seatbelt during an accident would get. His injuries aside, laws need to be applied equally regardless of class, social status or political affiliation.

[madfloridian]

13. The punitive mindset of the neo conservatives is showing here...

at DU.

Punishment before compassion.

[independentpiney]

16. Oh, I'm neocon influenced, good thing you were here to point that out.

and judge me as not being compassionate because i think laws should apply equally to everyone. I wonder if your tone would be different if he had been a hardcore conservative repub. That's why i edited my post and added political affiliation at the end.

[madfloridian]

17. It is the conservative mindset that applies punishment over compassion.

I think you knew what I meant.

It is alarming to me how little people here care about his injuries. They care far more about his seatbelt.

[independentpiney]

19. People don't care about his injuries?

Thats a bullshit inference and i think you know it. This thread was about consistent application of the NJ seat belt law, or on a more general level all laws. If it was a 'prayers for Jon Corzine' thread and people just started posting that he should get a ticket, i'd agree with you.

[rep the dems]

20. I'm with you on this.

I've always liked Corzine and I was immediately frightened when I heard about his car crash. I was relieved to know that despite some nasty injuries, he would be okay. But if the law says you have to wear a seatbelt, then he should pay the fine for not doing so. I doubt Corzine would say otherwise.

[madfloridian]

23. First before compassion we must be sure justice is served...

upon the governor. That is just what this sounds like. Justice before compassion.

[independentpiney]

33. NJ normally send the summons in the mail

like a parking ticket if they don't issue it at the scene. Nobody is advocating he be served while he's in intensive care, you're reading far too much into what people are saying here

Go start a 'best wishes for Corzine' thread and i'm sure you'll get the types of responses you're expecting in this thread.

[madfloridian]

37. There is a coldness in this thread.

A lack of compassion.

If I started a compassion for Corzine thread it would end up like the one I posted about the arrest of 5 and 6 year olds in Florida. Or like the one about the lady who sat in jail for days without recourse for throwing a cup of ice into another window at a traffic stop.

People were on those threads practically shouting they deserved it.

I don't ever remember a time in this country when the first thought was to arrest. Or to think of everything as a crime.

This is a thread with a lack of compassion.

[TankLV]

57. No, not "First", but justice for all - should be served.

He need his condolences and compassion.

When he is all better and healed - he should be fined just like the rest of us would be for BREAKING THE LAW.

[gristy]

14. The law says he gets a ticket.

End of story.

[madfloridian]

15. Well, be sure they get him while he is critical.

This is the most unbelievable stuff I have ever seen at DU.

Nobody gives a damn about Corzine...just punishment.

[rep the dems]

21. I think all of us care a great deal about Corzine's well being.

And it's wrong for you to say otherwise just because we also think he should pay for breaking the law.

[gristy]

31. Yes, thank you.

Madfloridian seems to think that posters such as myself think the ticket should be tossed on his bed while he's in Intensive Care, though of course neither I nor anyone else ever said such a thing.

[madfloridian]

38. I just did a search here at DU on "corzine".

There were some very sympathetic threads at the beginning when it first happened. Then came the oh but he was not wearing his seatbelt threads but there was still compassion. Then came the ones with his aide saying those things about ticketing him...an aide should not say that when the governor they work for was just almost killed.

Then came the threads that had less compassion. All about the seatbelt and appropriate punishment.

I was once in a terrible wreck. I was thrown from the car. It was pre-seat belt days.

That was a blessing though. Part of the other car came through my windshield on the passenger side, and the metal slashed the seat. If I had not been thrown out I would have been dead.

But the law is the law, and this thread makes that clear. What is not clear is the concern for him.

[gristy]

43. Thank you for your comments

Perhaps people often just post short little things. They feel bad for the man, and they wish him a speedy recovery (and maybe had even posted to that effect earlier), but then as the seat belt issue becomes the focus of the discussion, and in particular after the aide made his comment, people start zeroing in on that. I'll be the first to admit it is hard to judge a poster's overall viewpoint, position, and life experience in the short few sentences we have available to us.

[TankLV]

58. Exactly.

[enough already]

47. Someone take a leak in your Wheaties today?

The unbelievable stuff is coming from you. Nobody is talking about punishment first. geez, get a friggin' grip.

[madfloridian]

66. A leak in my Wheaties? Very tasteful intelligent comment.

Thanks for that. I am sure I deserved that just as Corzine deserves folks thinking he will try to get out of a ticket.

Leak in my Wheaties? Pathetic.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

18. He should get a ticket. Maybe he needs to change the law if he

disagrees with it but until then he, like every other passenger in a New Jersey car, should wear the seat belt. It is the law. How on earth could Corzine expect the State Police and law enforcement officials do their job if they condone someone, even the governor, the latitude to ignoring laws they don't like.

He needs to be tickets to show the citizens of NJ that the law has teeth and ignoring it has consequences - even after a trip to intensive care. I hope Corzine recovers quickly but no one, not even the governor, is above the law. We already have a bunch in the White House who thinks laws are mere suggestions and they don't have to obey them if they decide not to, we don't need more of that.

And no parents can legitmately ask their kids to obey the laws when they set out in the family car if they haven't already set a good example. Buckle up.

[Karenina]

22. I think it would be GREAT if

after he's sufficiently recovered from his injuries, that he make a public spectacle of receiving a citation. Others going after him at this time is unseemly. His making a LEARNING BY DOING situation of it would be a GREAT PUBLIC SERVICE.

[rocktivity]

82. DING DING DING! Gristy, you're our grand prize winner!

The law says he gets a ticket.
We mere mortals would have a ticket by now whether we were in an ICU or not. And the state trooper should be punished for driving 90MPH without a siren. No wonder no one had time to get out of the way. And at six PM on a weeknight, I imagine there were more than two other cars in the vicinity.

:headbang:
rocknation

[madfloridian]

24. I hope the good Gov Corzine gets well and soon...

so justice over that seatbelt will not be denied.

This thread is very upsetting. It is almost as bad as the one I posted about Florida arresting kindergarteners. Many here excused that as well.

[independentpiney]

41. I also hope my gov gets well and soon

i was a campaign volunteer for both his senate and gubernatorial runs. And when he does, i'm sure he will acknowledge his responsibility and accept his $45(?) fine because he is a good, fair man.

[bigdarryl]

29. JESUS CHRIST!!!! the man is in critical condition

worry about that when he's out of the woods with his health

[independentpiney]

34. Jesus Christ!!! Nobody is worried about it

Just posting thoughts relevant to the op. There's a difference.

[karynnj]

32. NJ law requires everyone in the front seats of a car to wear seat belts

The driver would be reponsible if the Governor was a minor, at 60, he's not.

[madfloridian]

39. See, more concern over the seatbelt.

I see little concern for Corzine in this thread.

[karynnj]

46. Of course, I care that the governor was in an awful accident

I was simply explaining why his chief of staff (in NJ papers) said he might get a ticket. The OP seemed to imply that the responsibility was the drivers - in NJ, it isn't. As I knew the NJ law - (which given my name here, I better) - I posted it.

[bklyncowgirl]

44. He should do public service announcements on crutches

This would be a great time for the Governor to educate the public about the importance of wearing seatbelts.

[mvd]

45. Best wishes to Governor Corzine

Hope he gets well soon. After that, he can make a speech or whatever talking about the importance of seat belts.

[DFW]

49. Why not let him get well enough to leave the hospital first, hmmm?

If he is guilty of some violation, my bet is that he'll be the first one
to plead guilty to set an example. But how about waiting until he can at
least breathe on his own before coming down on him with the full force of the law?

[TankLV]

56. What's good for the ruled, is good for the rulers...

I hope he gets well and feels better really soon.

I hope and pray the everything turns out all right for him.

My condolences to him and his family for this tragedy.

But - AFTER HE IS SUFFICIENTLY HEALED AND BETTER - to make is crystal clear to some obtuse person(s)here who aparently think it's OK to BREAK THE LAW, - I agree - he should be cited - if this was a nobody, they would be cited...

NO.
SPECIAL.
PRIVILEGES.
FOR.
THE.
RICH.
AND.
POWERFUL.

EVER...

[madfloridian]

60. Has there been an indication Corzine would try to get out of his punishment?

Just wondering. So many here are so worried that he won't get his ticket. Has anyone around him talked like he would avoid punishment?

[madfloridian]

59. Update on his health...a procedure to remove fluid from his lungs.

Just for information.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2932894&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

"A spokesman for Governor Corzine says he underwent a successful procedure Sunday morning to remove fluid that had collected outside of his left lung. The fluid was a result of the multiple rib fractures Corzine suffered from Thursday's accident on the Garden State Parkway.
The entire procedure lasted less than fifteen minutes.
Corzine remains in critical but stable condition and is breathing from a ventilator"

I believe that procedure is done with a very long needle going into the lung through the back. Not pleasant. Had it done when it first came on the scene. Effective.

And Governor Dean sends his wishes.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-13-2007/0004565289&EDATE=

"Democratic National
Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement wishing
Governor Jon Corzine a swift and full recovery following his accident
yesterday:
"On behalf of the Democratic National Committee, I wish Governor
Corzine a swift and full recovery and extend our deepest sympathies to his
family. Anyone who knows Governor Corzine knows his deep commitment to the
people of New Jersey. He is a true champion for the Garden State's working
families. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jon and his family."

[CANDO]

61. I imagine him insisting on being issued a citation.

I would if it were me. You escape with your life and it makes good PR to do so.

[Bluedogvoter]

62. He should indeed get a ticket.

He isn't above the law.

[madfloridian]

63. Has anyone said he was? Why this rush to justice? Why?

Why when he is still under deep sedation are you guys determining he is trying to get out of something.

This thread is cold hearted.

[Bluedogvoter]

65. The topic is independent of the timing.

My comment is in reflection to the OP.

It is against the law to not wear your seatbelt if you are a passenger. The responsibility is on the Governor, not the driver and as such he should get a ticket for it.

[madfloridian]

68. Do you have any compassion for him?

Or just concern that he will not get a ticket. I will bet all of you that Corzine will know he deserves it. Just let him get better first.

[Bluedogvoter]

78. I pray he has a full recovery.

This discussion is independent of his well being.

Its a discussion on whether he should or should not get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. Whether that be now or until after he gets better has no bearing on it. Of course they should wait until he has recovered.

[madfloridian]

64. Did anyone in Corzine's admin make you think he would try to get out of the ticket?

Why this thread about it? The guy nearly died. Does he try to be above the law?

Does anyone care that the driver was not charged because he was apparently having problems understanding.

Boy, if I told a cop that my ass would be in deep trouble.

So why the worry that Corzine will try to get out of a ticket?

Doesn't NJ respect their governor more than that?

[Eurobabe]

67. I think they BOTH should receive a citation

The trooper for not noticing, and Corzine for being careless. He wouldn't be in this situation if he had a seatbelt on, there is a reason for that law.

Why do you think he was tossed about like a rag-doll? Not wearing a seatbelt, is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

Having said that, GET WELL SOON GOV. CORZINE, New Jersey needs you!!!!

I bet when Corzine has this behind him he will say it was his own fault for not buckling up. You watch.

[madfloridian]

69. Well, there are cases that seatbelts can be harmful.

Of course that is the law now. But as I said above..before it was law I was thrown from the car. It was better than the alternative. Another car's metal strips came through my windshield and cut the seat in pieces. I would have been dead.

Laws are laws, and punish the governor later when he is well.

[Eurobabe]

71. I agree, and Corzine cannot claim that he was 8 mos. pregnant

in those cases, the upper belt can be really annoying and harmful in a crash.

[madfloridian]

77. If the front seat is destroyed and one is still in it...

one is dead whether pregnant or not. He should have followed the law, but I see no reason for people to sound so accusatory toward him right now.

[Eurobabe]

80. Well that's what happens on DU. n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

70. You obviously don't understand basic Newtonian physics.

You get hit by another car, the car stops. You keep going and it's called inertia.

You keep going--through the windshield, probably, or thrown around, or out of the car, and it rolls over on you and kills you, if you are not wearing a seat belt.

And then the taxpayers get to pick up the tab for your negligence.
Same thing as motorcyclists who don't wear helmets and expect the taxpayers to pay for their tramatic brain injuries when they have a close encounter with a curb.

I would NOT ride with you driving.

BTW, you say you "just don't feel comfortable in one ".
Let me tell you something: When you are dead, whether or not it's from a car wreck, you will feel NOTHING. So comfort won't be an issue. You won't have to worry about safety either. How convenient.

[Tejanocrat]

72. "Apparently not wearing his seat belt" is not the standard. Seat belts notoriously fail to remain

buckled in rollover crashes:

http://www.safetyforum.com/seatbelts/
http://www.kirotv.com/weblinks/2148969/detail.html
http://www.unsafebelts.com/
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/119817/article.html
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1357

There is no indication that I have seen which makes it seem more likely that Gov. Corzine was not wearing his seat belt as compared to the likelihood that his seat belt buckle unlatched in the crash.

[Czolgosz]

76. Those are some great links. What evidence is there that Corzine was unbelted?

[lynne]

73. Would Average Joe Citizen receive a citation for not wearing -

- a seat belt if involved in a NJ accident? If yes, then Corzine should be cited, too. The law needs to be applied equally.

That said, I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

[AngryAmish]

74. I think drivers should have a seat belt on

I'm just piling on here but seat belt keep you in place in high speed manaouvers such as swerving to avoid a sudden intrusion into the road.

Just my 2 cents.

[Norquist Nemesis]

75. Don't know the law in NJ, but here in IL

I think it's the driver that is cited (could be wrong about that). IMO, if there's a seatbelt law then it's the driver's responsibility to make sure that everyone is latched in or the car doesn't move.

[madfloridian]

79. The governor is having more surgery today. I wish him well.

In the midst of seatbelt mania and making sure he gets his punishment, I wish him well.

http://www.fox28.com/News/index.php?ID=16899

[Trajan]

83. Corzine deserves our utmost concern and love .....

and he sure as hell deserves a traffic citation .....

I love the man, but dammit, I have been to 'The Seatbelt Class', and it is a huge mistake to NOT wear a seat belt .....

One can argue all they want about 'freedom', but IF it is the law it's the fucking law ....

Corzine should be cited ....