Safety for adults

[Lynda/WA]

Should adults be legally required to wear seatbelts in vehicles and helmets on bikes (motorcyle and pedal)? Why?

[RCT]

the answer for me is yes on both...think seat belts have been proven to help reduce serious injury in car accidents.........they protect peolpe and the law protects them from thier own stupidity....you know the mothers who let thier children ride in cars with out carseat...these are the people who don't wear belts right?......as for the helmets, I remember when it wasn't necessary to wear them....I have fond memories as a child riding my bike unencumbered....But it is extremely dangerous to ride any bike (motor or pedal) without a helmet, I understand that people feel that they are grown up and should make the choice themselfs....but comeon we've all at one point in our lifes done something dangerous, and were hopefully lucky enought that we weren't hurt....I don't know, maybe they should make it a law that riders of motor bikes should wear leather jackets and pants too for thier safety.....

JMHO...

[Diane]

I've always worn my seatbelts but I'm still not too sure about those darn helmets. I know that I should wear one but I really don't like them at all. LOL When I was little there wasn't such of a thing as a bike helmet... and up until a few years ago I had never even seen one. LOL I think I'd really have a hard time adjusting to HAVING to wear a helmet (if they made it a law) because it's just something I've never HAD to wear. I guess when it comes to things like that I'd like to be able to choose than to be forced. Like I said, I know I should, it would be in my best interest TO wear one... just wish they'd make them LOOK a little bit better and more stylish. LOL Their really not that attractive, but then again... an accident victom on a bike isn't very attractive either, is it? Well see, now at least you've got me thinking about going out and buying one. It didn't really take too much to convince me, did it? Thanks!!! :)

[darlene]

I think helmets are a good idea, but don't think that by wearing one it will always save you. My brother was wearing a helmet when he had his accident, and the extra weight of it contributed to breaking his neck.
I had a friend who was in a car accident and was hurt more by the seatbelt than the accident itself. Seatbelts work wonders in a head on collision, but don't offer much restraint if you are broadsided.
:(

[Lynda/WA]

RCT said *they protect people and the law protects them from their own stupidity* (sorry haven't tried doing the quote thing you all do so well!)
O.K. So just because something makes you safer should it be mandatory and punishable by law. Again, I'm only talking in relation to adults making decisions that will impact themselves not others. I'm not talking about parents buckling in their children.
Should it be a legal requirement for you to eat a healthy diet? You would be protecting people from dying due to their own stupidity. If you are requiring people to wear seatbelts and helmets to save their own life shouldn't you also require people eat healthy to save their own life?
How about thrill sports - an example being auto racing. By not allowing people to auto race wouldn't you be saving them from themselves? I'm not talking about street racing here since that would be unsafe for others. I'm talking racing on a track.
Should it be the role of the government to say this activity is unsafe for you therefore you can't do it (ie ride without a helmet or race autos). Should the role of the government be to say this habit may extend your life therefore you must do it (ie eat healthy and use a seatbelt).

I'm can't think of any law that protects you from yourself and only protects the individual that I agree with. Any other examples of the government protecting you from yourself? Just thought of one before posting this. It's illegal in many places to commit suicide.

BTW, I do wear seatbelts and would wear a helmet if I biked. I just think it is a case of *It's my body, my choice* and the government shouldn't take a way decisions that only effect the person making that decision.

[MK]

The best way for children to be convinced of the importance of safety is for ADULTS TO BE GOOD EXAMPLES. Adults with little regard for their own safety will be observed by thier children and pass those attitudes on unwittingly. I have even made a point of thanking adult cyclists whom I noticed wearing a helmet for being a good example to my children.

One other thing we've noticed here on our street, is that when we moved here my children were the only ones who wore helmets-- now 9 out of 10 kids on our street have them!

[Lynda/WA]

MK said *The best way for children to be convinced of the importance of safety is for ADULTS TO BE GOOD EXAMPLES.*

I agree parents should set the example for their children. Even if it weren't required I would use them (and that's inspite of the fact that NOT wearing a seatbelt saved my Mom's life about 20 yrs ago). But is setting an example enough to make it mandatory for everyone else? Should you legally require all adults to do something just to set an example for some peoples children? Should you legally require adults to eat their vegetables to set an example for other people's children? Requiring adults to eat their vegetables may even save more lives then making them wear a seatbelt.

OT BTW - 75-80% of carseats are improperly used. I had previously read 75% but on a report a couple of weeks ago they said 80%.

[Mickey]

I think it should be mandatory for the following reason: If you're too stupid to wear a helmet or you don't want to wear a seatbelt because you don't want to wrinkle your suit or you just don't care or if you're just a "what happens happens" kind of person, that's on you. But if you die needlessly when we collide because you chose not to wear a seatbelt or helmet, then I shouldn't be held responsible for your death when it could have been prevented by you.

Also, if you don't wear a seatbelt or helmet, your medical expenses for injuries resulting from that decision not to wear one should be yours and yours alone--not mine, not my insurance company's, not your insurance company's, not the hospital's, not the government's--Yours. JMHO.

[Edited by Mickey on 03-23-2001 at 10:33 AM]

[jello]

I think adults should have to wear seatbelts, or anyone for that matter. But if they don't they are putting their own lives at risk, and not any others... I don't think at least...