Poll: Americans and Seatbelts

[TheRealCJ]

Okay, context: I have a mate who lived in the US for most of his young life, moved here about a year ago. Every time he gets in my car he complains about having to wear a seatbelt.

"Ugh they're so uncomfortable, nobody at home wore them, this stupid country etc."

Why is there such hatred for the things? Sure, it's not as comfortable as doing without, but neither is lying on the hot road with bits of glass embedded in your freshly peeled skin.

Perhaps I'm just used to having to wear one at all times, but I honestly don't see why a piece of fabric designed to save your life is such a big imposition to put on when you drive.

Edit: Looking into this, I discovered an interesting little Tidbit: Apparently, the reason that there are so many Air Bag related injuries in the US (compared to the rest of the world) is because to achieve the standard US safety rating, the air bags have to be deployed much faster (and therefore much more forcefully) than the European/World air bag deployment time, to compensate for the possible lack of seat belts.

 

[nunqual]

My family and I always wear them, and I don't think they're uncomfortable. In fact, I think they give a sense of snugness. My girlfriend and her family, though, rarely wear seatbelts. I'm usually the only one in the car wearing it when I ride with her family.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Okay, context: I have a mate who lived in the US for most of his young life, moved here about a year ago. Every time he gets in my car he complains about having to wear a seatbelt.

"Ugh they're so uncomfortable, nobody at home wore them, this stupid country etc."

Why is there such hatred for the things? Sure, it's not as comfortable as doing without, but neither is lying on the hot road with bits of glass embedded in your freshly peeled skin.

Perhaps I'm just used to having to wear one at all times, but I honestly don't see why a piece of fabric designed to save your life is such a big imposition to put on when you drive.

I've lived in the states my whole life, and I don't see them as a problem. Most of the people I know don't see them as a problem. I honestly don't see why anyone would dislike them.

 

[ryai458]

Yes, and yes.

 

[gertmenkel]

I don't live in the US, but if I would, I would wear them. They aren't uncomfortable, they protect you, so why would you not wear them?

 

[Haydyn]

I don't like driving without them. You get use to having it there. Being a passenger it's not as comfortable, because you don't have to be sitting up straight and focused on the road. When I'm in the passenger seat, I wanna relax more, but I still wear the seat belt.

 

[GrimTuesday]

I almost always wear a seat belt, because I'm a fan of not flying through the windshield in the event of an accident. Of course, there are exception but those are few and far between.

 

[TheRealCJ]

Okay, context: I have a mate who lived in the US for most of his young life, moved here about a year ago. Every time he gets in my car he complains about having to wear a seatbelt.

"Ugh they're so uncomfortable, nobody at home wore them, this stupid country etc."

Why is there such hatred for the things? Sure, it's not as comfortable as doing without, but neither is lying on the hot road with bits of glass embedded in your freshly peeled skin.

Perhaps I'm just used to having to wear one at all times, but I honestly don't see why a piece of fabric designed to save your life is such a big imposition to put on when you drive.

I've lived in the states my whole life, and I don't see them as a problem. Most of the people I know don't see them as a problem. I honestly don't see why anyone would dislike them.

I'm informed that the laws vary from state to state? According to Wikipedia, the state my friend grew up in (Pennsylvania) only has a Ten Dollar fine for not wearing a seatbelt, and that's only if you get pulled over for something else!

Here in Australia, it's 250 dollars and 3 demerit points, and the police can pull you up for just not wearing one.

 

[Jonluw]

I don't live in the US (but I'll answer anyways dammit), and I always wear seatbelts (except when I'm on a bus). Honestly, I find being strapped in quite comfortable.

 

[viking97]

if i sit in the front i do, in the back i don't bother.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Okay, context: I have a mate who lived in the US for most of his young life, moved here about a year ago. Every time he gets in my car he complains about having to wear a seatbelt.

"Ugh they're so uncomfortable, nobody at home wore them, this stupid country etc."

Why is there such hatred for the things? Sure, it's not as comfortable as doing without, but neither is lying on the hot road with bits of glass embedded in your freshly peeled skin.

Perhaps I'm just used to having to wear one at all times, but I honestly don't see why a piece of fabric designed to save your life is such a big imposition to put on when you drive.

I've lived in the states my whole life, and I don't see them as a problem. Most of the people I know don't see them as a problem. I honestly don't see why anyone would dislike them.

I'm informed that the laws vary from state to state? According to Wikipedia, the state my friend grew up in (Pennsylvania) only has a Ten Dollar fine for not wearing a seatbelt, and that's only if you get pulled over for something else!

Here in Australia, it's 250 dollars and 3 demerit points, and the police can pull you up for just not wearing one.

I think in Missouri they can't pull you over for it, but can add $10 if you don't have it on when you are pulled over for something else.

 

[gigastrike]

I like seatbelts. I even put them on when the car isn't moving if I'm going to be sitting down for an extended period of time.

 

[bdcjacko]

Only idiots and large people that seatbelts don't fit around comfortably don't wear seat belts. And by large people, I don't mean just fat people, but you know super tall people and really muscular, anyone that is larger than the seat beat.

That being said, I do hate the seatbelts in the honda element. They cut across my shoulder and are annoying.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

U.S. citizen, here, and I do not drive without a seatbelt. Your buddy needs to man the fuck up and wear the seatbelt. If it's too uncomfortable for him to wear, he's too much of a pussy to be in a speeding bundle of metal.

 

[Bryan Jue]

Your friend is tempting fate, and I don't think his feelings are representative of the general consensus. I can't think of a single friend of mine who hates seatbelts enough to not wear them. In fact, I've never had a discussion with anyone about seatbelts sucking.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I always wear one when I leave my property.

 

[Votix]

When I was younger I just HATED wearing seatbelts, perhaps because my mom always pestered me about it. I got used to it eventually and it kinda gave a me a sense of safety while being comfortable. Also because I use it as a cushion sometimes when I sleep in the car. XD Better safe then sorry as they say.

 

[SwiftBlade18]

My dad makes a living designing seatbelts and airbags so you all better damn well appreciate them lol - seriously he does, think of all the ppl my dad has probably saved...hells yeh