Poll: Americans and Seatbelts

[DarthFennec]

My stepfather refuses to wear one because it's `so uncomfortable'. I don't know anyone else who doesn't wear a seatbelt, I think it's stupid that people actually do that. It doesn't take much time to do, and it gets automatic after a few times, so it's not like it's taking valuable time or anything stupid like that. Also it's not uncomfortable once you get used to it, and it's very good at saving people's lives, so I really don't see what the big inconvenience is. It's like if someone refused to lock the safety on their guns or refused to wash their hands after they took a shit. It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[UNHchabo]

I always wear mine, but I am strongly opposed to them being mandatory by law.

I grew up in one of two states that has no law punishing adults who choose not to wear them, and I think that's a good thing.

 

[superbatranger]

Of course I wear my seatbelt. I don't want to go flying through my windshield.

 

[Blondi3]

Of course I wear my seatbelt. I don't want to go flying through my windshield.

Have you ever played GTA4? It's a really fun thing to do. Sure, not as fun irl but still.

 

[USSR]

Wearin' muh seatbelt is 2 mainstreamz for me :B

But seriously, yes.
You're generally stupid if you don't, imo.

 

[superbatranger]

Of course I wear my seatbelt. I don't want to go flying through my windshield.

Have you ever played GTA4? It's a really fun thing to do. Sure, not as fun irl but still.

I actually prefer making people in other cars fly through their windshields.

 

[Brandon237]

I always wear a seatbelt, but I am South African, and therefore chose what was essentially your "shiny" option

 

[Berserker119]

It's stupid not to, no matter what distance. I wear mine if I'm going 5 feet.

 

[bushwhacker2k]

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

Okay, I'm not trying to point fingers but I think there's something with your friend in this situation, I've lived in America all my life and EVERYONE I know wears a seat-belt.

 

[Blondi3]

Of course I wear my seatbelt. I don't want to go flying through my windshield.

Have you ever played GTA4? It's a really fun thing to do. Sure, not as fun irl but still.

I actually prefer making people in other cars fly through their windshields.

That works too. I'd get into a sports car then throw myself out of a windshield and off a cliff/highway/hill. Ragdoll physics ftw. The replay videos were hilarious.

 

[Canid117]

I live in the states and your friend is just whining. If he had ever been in a real accident he would be singing a different tune.

 

[FaceFaceFace]

In Texas (where I live) you can get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt and I think its a couple hundred dollar fine. I would wear one, anyway, though, because I enjoy living.

 

[PurplePlatypus]

Yeah I?d rather not endanger myself and anyone else in the car by not wearing one. Although they can be uncomfortable sometimes, although that?s only because I?m rather short and some seat belts are fixed higher than others. In most cases it goes across my chest but there was this one stupid car, it was so high it was practically going across my face. This was the back seat as well were they are usually lower and unlike front seats the damn thing wasn?t adjustable. Stupid design.

 

[silver wolf009]

I am an American, and everytime I get in a car or other motorized vechicle, I always reach for the seatbelt. It's a programed response that may save my life one day.

 

[white_salad]

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.

They can pull you over for it in california, and it's a pretty hefty fine I believe.

Remember, click it, or ticket. I love that slogan.

 

[bulbasaur765]

Live in the States. Wear them all the time. Don't want to fly headfirst into the windshield when the car crashes.

 

[TyrantGanado]

Considering it's illegal to be in a moving car without wearing one in the UK I always wear one. Unless I'm moving my car about without going on a road.

...I always did wonder why no one seemed to use them in American TV shows unless they were going to crash.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Never found seatbelts to be uncomfortable. They can be adjusted if they're too tight, and plus a little bit of discomfort is much better then becoming a road stain.