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The argument that I've heard is that seat belts keep the driver in the seat, making it more likely that he or she will have some control of the vehicle after an
by tghw 11y ago
The argument that I've heard is that seat belts keep the driver in the seat, making it more likely that he or she will have some control of the vehicle after an abrupt maneuver, lowering the chances that the car just becomes an unguided missile, which is more likely to hit something or someone else without a driver.
Motorcycles don't really have the same issue, as they generally do a lot less damage than a car since they weigh only a fraction as much. So helmet laws are more a question of personal choice and how much influence the state government wants to have over those decisions.
- sparky_z 11y agoIf that's the justification, then shouldn't the law only apply to the driver and not the passengers?
- loco5niner 11y agoHere's an argument for that: Just like the car can become an unguided missile endangering others, an unseat-belted passenger can become an unguided missile endangering fellow passengers/driver.
- fnordfnordfnord 11y agoAre we going to legislate that all of the potatoes in the back seat are secured against becoming missiles as well?
- loco5niner 11y agoHardly a worthy comparison. How about this comparison instead? If I were to transport my 25 lb kettle-bell, you can bet it will go in the trunk, legislation or not.
- rakk 11y agoUnless one of the passengers knocks out the driver while bouncing around in the car.. The argument mentioned by tghw is the only reason I agree with the law on this point. Considering law's meant to protect people from themselves (and only themselves) in general I'd pick freedom over mandatory safety any day.
- base698 11y agoBecause it's easy to continue to pilot the vehicle after your friend smashes into and breaks both your arms?
- mod 11y agoThe law sometimes does apply only to the driver--I think that was labeled in an image in the article, in fact. At the very least, it does not apply to riders in the back seat very often.