Poll: Americans and Seatbelts

[Dags90]

If its one thing certain americans are concerned about its safety except for those who no longer care for their well-being.
i always wear it.

There's also a fairly prevalent group of Americans who think seatbelt laws are another way of the gubment trying to hold you down.

I wear always wear my seatbelt, anyone in my car wears their seatbelt and I ask anyone who's in the car with me to wear their seatbelt. Anything that isn't strapped to the car is a potential projectile in a bad collision. I don't want my obituary to read "crushed to death by a fatty not wearing a seatbelt".

 

[Hungry Donner]

I've known a lot of people with little respect for the rules or government and I'm pretty sure they all wear their seat belts. I live in upstate NY - if you aren't wearing one during the winter you're an idiot and seat belt checks are actually pretty common during the rest of the year.

 

[YouEatLard]

Agreed. A large percentage of the U.S. is mentally retarded. This is why we keep having to drop our standards in public schools (the tards breed faster).

So, being an American, I'm automatically retarded?....
There's a difference between retarded and stupid.

No. I didn't say that all are, just that a large percentage are. The line between retarded and stupid is an extremely small one. Unfortunately I can't explain this in greater detail without going wildly off topic, but really, seat belts aren't a question of ignorance. Everyone has seen them. There is information everywhere and nearly everyone has seen ads and videos about what can happen if they aren't worn. The only conclusion I see that people wouldn't want to wear one is idiocy. This is idiocy at a level where I'd half expect them to try to eat the seat belt rather then wear it.

Earlier in the thread someone said they they don't while they're in the back seat. There are ads on TV and video's all over the net about this as well. They all show what damage can be done by a "large semi-solid mass" hurling through the car at 40+ MPH after the car has stopped.

So if it's just stupidity, it's to a level that these people obviously have special needs.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

So, being an American, I'm automatically retarded?....
There's a difference between retarded and stupid.

No. I didn't say that all are, just that a large percentage are. The line between retarded and stupid is an extremely small one. Unfortunately I can't explain this in greater detail without going wildly off topic, but really, seat belts aren't a question of ignorance. Everyone has seen them. There is information everywhere and nearly everyone has seen ads and videos about what can happen if they aren't worn. The only conclusion I see that people wouldn't want to wear one is idiocy. This is idiocy at a level where I'd half expect them to try to eat the seat belt rather then wear it.

Earlier in the thread someone said they they don't while they're in the back seat. There are ads on TV and video's all over the net about this as well. They all show what damage can be done by a "large semi-solid mass" hurling through the car at 40+ MPH after the car has stopped.

So if it's just stupidity, it's to a level that these people obviously have special needs.

The United States of America: the only country on earth that you can proclaim to be "full of retards" on this forum without fear of moderator intervention.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I think there pretty unnoticable in terms of comfort. I allways wear mine.

 

[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.

some states (Alaska, I think) don't require you to wear seatbelts. Other states say everyone is supposed to, but it's more convoluted. "A driver has to wear his seatbelt, anyone 16 and younger in the passenger seat has to wear a seatbelt, 12 and younger in the backseats have to wear a seatbelt." but, I don't know anyone who doesn't wear a seatbelt. and looking at your poll, I'd venture to say 95% of Americans do.

what part of the country was your friend from?

Pennsylvania, I think.

no, PA does. The states the don't require you to wear them are sparsely populated. Sates like Alaska, Wyoming, Oklahoma, the Dakotas, etc.

Oh, well, my mate is probably just full of crap then.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I've been using my seat belt while riding in cars (when those vehicles have belts anyway). I've been doing it since before it was a law punishable by fine.

 

[godofallu]

I don't really know anyone who doesn't wear a seatbelt, but honestly it's really about what kind of parents you had.

When I was a kind it was seatbelt up or you don't get to go out for dinner or w.e

Now i'm an adult and we have rigorous "click it or ticket" campaigns where the driver is responsible for anyone not wearing a seatbelt. So needless to say to not wear one would endanger your friends/family/driver.

 

[LogicNProportion]

I wear my seat-belt if I'm driving somewhere more than a few minutes away from where I currently am.

Perhaps it's just laziness (in fact, I'm pretty sure it is) but I hate undoing it and putting it back on every stop I make...especially if stops are really close together.

 

[RicoGrey]

"Click it or Ticket", it is the law in Kentucky to wear your seatbelt while operating a vehicle. Obviously certain ones are exempt, ie motorcycles and what have you. Also, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet on.

I and most of the people I know wear seatbelts, even before they made it law. Lived here my whole life.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Not from the US - My parents Volvo will make one heck of a noise if a person doesn't use his/her seatbelt, so everyone uses seatbelts and so far no one has complained.