The Seat Belt Controversy

Are seat belts a dangerous product? This is a very interesting
question and brings up the vigorous debate surrounding the mandated use
of seat belts.

Most people have had the safety message drummed into their heads
that wearing a seat belt saves lives. There are numerous commercials on
TV, the radio, in magazines and newspapers that tout the effectiveness
of using a seat belt. "Buckle Up" campaigns in some form or another
have been launched in just about every state in effort to reduce the
number of traffic fatalities. Every state, but New Hampshire, has laws
mandating seat belt use in some form or another.

Traffic safety stats show that the lowly seat belt has been credited
with saving at least 9,500 lives per year. These same statistics are
also showing that virtually 60% of those who die in car crashes were
not wearing seat belts. So what is going on here?

Again, it's the statistics that show some individuals are more
likely to buckle up than others – for instance, young male drivers from
age 16 to 25 – who believe they are immortal. Immortal isn't exactly
the word that comes to mind, but high-risk driver does.

You might find it interesting to learn that over the years seat
belts have changed from lap belts to three point belts, from shoulder
to hip to waist. The whole point of a seat belt is to spread the impact
of a sudden, wrenching stop across the chest and over the stronger
shoulder and hipbones. The idea is to minimize any injuries, not
including the bruises and, at times, fractured ribs from the force of
the impact.

Wearing seat belts is so ingrained in the law, that in most states
not wearing a seat belt ranks as either a primary or secondary offense.
Interestingly, there are also 14 states where people who sue for
damages after an accident may have their award reduced for not wearing
a belt. So with all of this information, what is the hang up with seat
belts? The hang up appears to be that some people feel that being made
to wear a seat belt in infringing on their rights; their primary
argument is that not wearing one isn't hurting anyone but themselves.

Sure there is some credibility lent to these particular arguments in
the form of stats that tell the story of seat belt induced deaths –
cardiac arrest and life threatening injuries to the chest, neck and
abdomen. Frankly more people's lives are saved by wearing a seat belt
than not, however, there is an element of choice involved here. If
someone feels strongly enough about not wearing a seat belt, it is
their choice – and they must pay whatever consequences may follow in
the event of an accident.

Tim Anderson works with Atlanta Personal Injury attorney, Stephen M.
Ozcomert. The firm specializes in personal injury, malpractice,
motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death. To learn more about Atlanta
personal injury lawyer, Stephen M. Ozcomert or Atlanta personal injury, Atlanta personal injury lawyer, Atlanta personal injury attorney, visit Ozcomert.com.