Going, going GONE!

[azsnowman]

Well, I thought I'd never see the day BUT....yet another freedom is being taken away, seems like Az will soon be joining the ranks of other states in a new seat belt law Right now in Az, you cannot be stopped for not wearing a seat belt, they have to stop you for another moving violation, WELL, the new law will give the Dept Of Public Safety the right to stop you anytime, anywhere for NOT wearing it That's BS I hardly EVER wear a seatbelt nor will I ever wear one full time, you see, I was in a BAD car accident 23 years ago that nearly took off my left hand, now had I been wearing a seat belt, ol snowman would NOT be here today. I feel asleep while driving, I was in the bar ditch, woke up, over corrected, flipped and rolled 6 times (according to DPS), had I been wearing the seat belt, I would have been crushed like a beer can. The cab of the pickup smashed the dash board and steering wheel on the drivers side to the floor board, while the passenger side was not even scratched! Force me to wear a seat belt, I *Think Not!*

Dennis

[JetMaxx]

I've never liked the notion of being forced to wear a seatbelt at threat of arrest or ticket...far too many of our rights and freedoms have already been eroded away in the name of safety/ security. If I don't wear a seat belt, the life at risk is mine...and that IMO isn't any of the state or federal governments business.

Saying that, I always wear my seat belt...it's old habit, something I always do before turning the ignition key. In March 1983, the vehicle I was driving slammed into a tanker truck after it ran a red light. I was sore for a week, the car was totalled...but that seat belt saved my life (kept me from going through the windshield). I was also involved in a multi-vehicle accident in 1985....I survived and walked away while two others died that icy night. I give credit both to God and the seat belt I was wearing.

[Amanzi]

Oh my goodness Dennis.. that sounds like a bad accident you were in! Thank the Lord his angels were there to keep you safe.

When my husband was in the armed forces he was hitch hiking back to his base (the national service man wore special reflective waist bands to allow passing motorists to stop and give them lifts, back in the day's when it was safe!) He was given a lift in the back of a pick up truck, and the driver fell asleep, the truck went flying down an embankment and my husband was thrown clean off the back, the driver however had his seat belt on and the whole front part of the drivers side was squashed in trapping him, he sadly could not be saved and died on the scene of the accident. Sounds very similar to the circumstances of your accident Dennis, maybe the outcome would have been different had he not been wearing a seatbelt.

I however feel very uncomfortable if I don't have one on, my son too instinctively puts his on as soon as he gets in the car.

[bfez1]

I wear a seatbelt because it is the law but I resent the gov't telling me what I have to do. Wear a seat belt, wear a helmet when riding a motorbike, car seats for children. Don't misunderstand me, I realize they say they are saving lives but I am an adult and that should be MY decision to make, not theirs.

[ColdFront77]

I never grew up told to continously put my seat belt on when in a car. If you aren't used to something, you don't do it... same goes with wearing a seat belt.

I suppose that most people would say that getting injuries from the force of an accident with your seat belt on is a false statement. This was mentioned when my sister was in an automobile accident several years ago.

[Skywatch_NC]

I would never feel safe in a vehicle without my seat belt on...NC has had that law now for some time...and even if they didn't have one...I'd still wear mine.

Eric

[Stormsfury]

South Carolina has had this law on the books for many years now ...

Ironically, growing up, I wore the seatbelt on the passenger's side without fail ... but now, since I've been driving, I do NOT wear a seatbelt ... I've wore it once in a while when I absolutely had to - but otherwise, the belt brings me incredible discomfort...

[ColdFront77]

Florida is strictly enforcing their seat belt law, so many drivers and passengers are taking heed and buckling up.

Massachusetts has a seat belt law which was pretty strict, more than it was, considering... over the years.

[pojo]

Wisconsin also has that law. But right now, they can't stop you just for a seatbelt violation...there needs to be other reasons like a speeding ticket.

I wear mine everytime I get into a car.

[weatherlover427]

They have a campaign going on about this here in California too; but I'm not sure if they can stop you here just for a seat belt violation or not. I know some people who are so big that they can't put seat belts on.

[JQ Public]

I think its a generational thing. All my friends wear seatbelts when driving. Many people around my dad's age 50-ish don't. I think its a good law, but you can take your chances if you want dennis! We have strict seat belt legislation in NC. Its called "Click It, Or Ticket" Also anyone in the back seat less than 16 must wear seat belts. Everyone must wear one in the passenger seat as well. We also have a very low account of accident deaths due to being thrown out of the vehicle.

[therock1811]

Yeah... there's a nationwide campaign about this right now, because of the Memorial Day weekend. I have mine on every time I get in the family van.

[ColdFront77]

I wouldn't think it would be possible for law enforcement to stop vehicles just to check if you have a seat belt on. I suppose a "seat belt checkpoint" may and could be developed... they have them for other things.