Poll: Americans and Seatbelts

[LeonLethality]

Canadian here, I know this is meant for the USA but I don't care. I know a few people who refuse to wear seatbelts but they are few and far between, most of the people I know (including myself) value not being badly injured by not wearing one and not being fined for not wearing one.

 

[antidonkey]

US citzen here and I feel very strange when I don't have a seatbelt on in my car. Hell, half the time even if I'm just sitting in it and not going anywhere I reach for it. Backseat one tend to be more uncomfortable but I deal with it. Should thing to awry I'd much rather not be flung out of the vehicle at high speeds. I have a motorcycle for that.

 

[TheRealCJ]

Usually drive without them as usually too drunk to lock them in place

I think you may be missing the general spirit of road laws.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I do. The last time I didnt, my car flipped over and did five rolls. I was lucky to crawl out with a bruised arm and some scratches.

 

[DustyDrB]

Yep. I didn't know her but I went to a very small high school (of like 600 people in the whole thing) when a girl a year younger than me was killed when she lost control of her car and was propelled through her windshield. Another time, a guy I did know a little was killed (as a passenger) when pretty much the same thing happened. I knew the driver (who was wearing his seat belt) pretty well and that whole thing screwed him up badly (guilt, mostly). Those cases are examples of drivers who probably were being irresponsible at the wheel, but it happens. A seat belt would have likely saved both, and it's not like it's some big inconvenience to just buckle up.

That said, I don't support seat belt laws. I just don't like the idea of someone getting a ticket because "you just put yourself and no one else in danger by not wearing it".

 

[zeropike]

Well not a single substantial post for not wearing seat-belts, that's good.

Having only been pulled over by a State Trooper, because he couldn't see if I had a belt on or not. I've had no trouble's. Always wear mine.

My Brother who's leg was broken after he was ejected out of the passenger side window of the car he was in ages ago, while not wearing his seat-belt. He would give anything to go back in time and put it on. It would have saved on the pain and dealing with the couple of screw's he has to have in his knee.

 

[Funkysandwich]

I live in Australia, and it's pretty much second nature for me to put on my seatbelt whenever I get into a car. Partly because I drive an old car that doesn't have airbags, ABS, traction control or much in the way of safety at all, and partly because the fine for not wearing one is so massive I can't afford to pay it.
Also, I've crashed a car before, and my seatbelt certainly saved my life then. I hit a post at 80 Km/h and walked away with a slightly sore knee as it bumped steering column.

The only time I don't wear a seatbelt is when I'm in my brother's 1955 Austin A50, and that's only because it doesn't have seatbelts. It was built before they became mandatory.

 

[zehydra]

ok OP. Here's the problem with your thread:
"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?"

You're complaining about a widespread hatred existing because of one person.

 

[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.

Your friend is full of it. Every single state in the united states has laws about seatbelts. It's just some people are idiots and we have a population of 350million plus. So we have an extra heaping of idiots.

The only person I personally know that has seatbelt issues. Only does because his morbidly obese (like she can't get out of the house now and mentally ill) mother wouldn't wear them. He has since overcome his problem because his wife flips out on him for not wearing it.

Yes, I've since done the research and come to that conclusion. However, according to wikipedia, my mate's home state only has a ten dollar penalty for not wearing one, and you can only get fined if if you commit another infringement.

Most of them it's similar because it's just supposed to be a reminder and scare them the first time. The 2nd time in my state for example is $500. (first time is $50)
Side note: a lot of states with strong agriculture backgrounds tend to have it that you only need to wear a seatbelt in the FRONT seat. (due to the use of farming equipment and trucks sometimes not HAVING a back seatbelt)
It's kind of stupid.

See, in Australia (or at least Queensland), the default fine is 250 dollars, AND three demerit point. That means that I, as a provisional license holder, only have to get caught without my belt twice to lose my license.

Of course, wearing seat belts is so ingrained into put driving culture that it feels odd to not wear one automatically.

seriously, whenever I get on a bus, I feel weird for not having a belt.

 

[rockingnic]

It actually depends for me... I will wear a seatbelt if I'm riding with my family, people I don't know or for extended drives. I wouldn't wear one all the time if the drive distance is short or if I'm riding with one of my friends.

 

[thelonewolf266]

Whoever thought up the option Seatbelts are for Communists is a legend and my new best friend....lucky you.

 

[jbchillin]

i've been told since i was little to wear a seatbelt so i always do. their not that uncomfortable and even tho the possibility of me flying through the windshield is slight...its a smaller percentage if i wear my seatbelt.

 

[bdcjacko]

Honestly I don't see why people ***** about them. Sure my seatbelt feels like it's trying to saw my head off, a trait most Ford seatbelts here in the US seem to share, but that feels a whole lot better than flying through the windshield and slamming into a tree would.

I find the ford ranger's seat belt comfortable. And I am 6' 220 lbs. So I'm not little.

We had an '03 Ranger. It wasn't bad, but they had a habit of locking in place when I leaned forward to grab my coke out of the cupholder or operate something on the dashboard. That was annoying. My '85 F150 likes to saw my neck off, and my friend installed pads on his front belts for the same reason.

Yeah, I have an 03 ranger, and I notice it from time to time, but it isn't that bad. The Honda Element is 1000 times worse. I can never get the belt to get comfortable and if you pull it wrong, it locks. And you will pull it wrong when you are trying to get it off your chin. When I have to ride in my mom's on occasion, I don't even bother buckling up in the back seat.

 

[TheRealCJ]

ok OP. Here's the problem with your thread:
"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?"

You're complaining about a widespread hatred existing because of one person.

No I'm not, I'm wondering why there is hatred of them AT ALL. I never said it was widespread.

 

[LostTimeLady]

Clunk, Click Every Trip!

I live in the UK where you have to have seatbelts on by law and I'm cool with a higher suvival rate if I'm in a crash.

When I've been in a car with no seatbelts it's made me feel really uncomfortable and lacking in the protection that could save my life.

Also, my nana was in a car crash when she was younger. She was sitting on someone's lap in the car, so had no seatbelt and she went through the windscreen. She suvived but she a) couldn't remember the acident and after that she could no longer memorise things like music (she was a good piano player) and b) her hair turned white from the shock.

Moral of the story, wear a seat belt.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

U.S. here - always wear the seatbelt. ALWAYS. I always ask if everyone is belted in even if I'm not the one driving. Hell, I even look around to check. If they aren't belted in, they get the death stare until they do. If they refuse, then they need to find another ride.

We have that, "Click it, or ticket." slogan used here for all drivers and their passengers. It's unsafe NOT TO put your seatbelt on and there is also the ticket if pulled over.

Your friend is a sissy la-la.

 

[Hashime]

I put on seatbelts by habit. I always have and have no issues with them. I am in canada of course where not wearing one results in a $400 fine.
My sister on the other hand never puts on a seatbelt unless we tell her to, which is every time we get in the car together.
I see no reason to not wear a belt just as I see no reason to not wear a helmet biking. (I don't wear one skiing, but that is because I am poor).