Should it Be the Law to Wear Your Seat Belt?

Why is it a mandatory law to wear safety belts while riding in a vehicle? The answer may seem obvious, but it is not always clear. The law claims that not wearing seat belts is illegal to save lives. But what about the lives that have been lost because of seat belts? It is true that seat belts save lives in certain accidents, but this is not always the case.

Seat belts are designed to save lives but in some cases they take lives. The government does not like to admit this fact but it is true. In some cases the seat belt can jam or the accident victim is unconscious and help cannot get them out of a vehicle because of the seat belt. Imagine that the vehicle is in flames, and you cannot get the driver out of the car because of a jammed seat belt. This person more than likely is going to lose there life as a result of a device that is illegal not to wear.

Rollover accidents are another example of how seat belts can sometimes cause death. While seat belts prevent ejection from a vehicle, in some cases ejection is the best outcome. In some cases, when a vehicle is involved in a rollover the cab is crushed. This sometimes crushes the occupants of the vehicle because the seat belt restricts them from either being ejected or to have the ability to crouch down in the floor. Many cases have been reported where the victim's lives have been spared in a rollover because they were not wearing a seat belt.

Another example of ways seat belts claim lives is when a vehicle runs into a pond of water. With the seatbelt on it is more difficult for the accident victim to exit the flooding vehicle. When an accident occurs in water, every second is precious to save your life. If you are unconscious it will take someone even longer to get you out of your flooded vehicle. If you are scared and panicked you may have difficulties removing your seatbelt, especially while under water.

Head on collisions are one of the only examples that seat belts can save your life. In a head on collision, the seatbelt will likely prevent the victim from being ejected through the windshield. You are likely to be a little safer in a head on collision if you wear your seat belt. But you never know what type of accident you will be involved. Why does the government get to control your safety decisions? This should be the occupant of the vehicles choice, and no one should be fined or punished for not wearing their seat belt.

It is true that seatbelts do save lives. Likewise it is also true that seatbelts often cost lives in an accident. Why does the government make it a law to wear a seat belt, when the only life at risk is your own? And in many cases you may be putting your life at risk when you click that seat belt on. The occupant of the vehicle should have the right to choose if you wish to wear a seat belt, not the government. Many people will gladly pay the fine of not wearing their seat belt when they realize if they were wearing it they would have likely been killed.