Why Don't People Wear Seatbelts?

[Acklander]

LOL

Yeah, I am against government interference too but this has to be one of the dumbassiest of the ******* ways to take a stand against the government.

It may be *******, but it should be my right as an American to be a ******* if I want.

 

[bluefairy13]

It may be *******, but it should be my right as an American to be a ******* if I want.

Agreed!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

This isn't a thread about whether the government should mandate seatbelt usage. I'm still not sure how I feel about that, but as I learn more about how not wearing a seatbelt can hurt others, I'm more comfortable with it. Whether the government mandates it or not, it's a smart choice and that is what the thread is about.

Exactly! I can't believe this thread keeps getting turned in that direction.

When I get in the car, I don't worry about the freaking government and me being under their thumb... I make an educated decision that I want to return home to my family in one piece! It's that simple! Add to that - I'm vain! I like my face in the position it's in!

Trust me, the only time the government is going to care whether or not you've buckled up, is 1) when you get a speeding ticket, thereby contributing to the "man", and 2) when they have to support you for the rest of your life because you went through a windshield and can't work anymore.

Out of those two situations, I'd love to see any of you shun the government then!

This reminds me of a friend who hates police officers. All of them. He hates their authority. I keep waiting for the day when he has to call 911 to have one of them save his sorry butt.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Agreed. Don't pay your taxes. Burn your bras. Ask pointed questions of elected officials. But IMHO not wearing a seatbelt is along the lines of setting your bra on fire--while you're still wearing it.

Ouch!

Great analogy!

 

[profdsny]

Lots of people feel like that. They don't feel sorry for folks injured or killed if they didn't wear their seatbelt. They don't feel sorry for smokers who suffer or die from lung cancer. They don't feel sorry for people who have heart attacks or die (or lose their legs after getting DMII or any of the other gazillions of things being fat does to them) because they ate their way into it.

Many people have trouble working up compassion for others if those others didn't meet their standards.

If I had to pick, I'd rather live in a world full of compassionate people than a world full of seatbelt wearers.

I have tons of compassion for the millions in the world that are in bad situations that are not of their own choosing. Actually, even for some who are in situations that are. But when people do suicidal things after they have been told repeatedly of the dangers, and why up getting killed or injured, that's where my compassion stops.

 

[Planogirl]

Am I reading here that many people don't wear seatbelts because the government requires it? Would they wear them if the government didn't require it?

I hate, hate, HATE government interference in private lives. However to me the government requiring seat belts has nothing to do with why I wear one. I just think it's the right thing to do.

 

[Acklander]

I wear one, because I've read up on it, and I choose to wear one. I'm all for adults being allowed to make informed decisions. Put the information out there, and let people make their own choices.

 

[Acklander]

I have tons of compassion for the millions in the world that are in bad situations that are not of their own choosing. Actually, even for some who are in situations that are. But when people do suicidal things after they have been told repeatedly of the dangers, and why up getting killed or injured, that's where my compassion stops.

Maybe this is where the difference is. I've never been a "told you so" or a "serves him right" type person.
Some people make poor choices, and some people pay dearly for those poor choices. They don't need judgement from me.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Stupidity. Plain and simple.

What's even worse are people who do not have their children properly secured in the car. And, sorry to say, MANY of you reading this right now do not! (The vast majority of vehicles checked by professionals fail miserably; it is extremely rare to find a car outfitted for all child passengers to be legally and safely restrained.) Not out of stupidity, or lack of caring, but out of ignorance of the proper way to do it. Laws are generally unknown to most people and car seats can be very complicated to install and use properly each and every time. Most people aren't even sure what type of restraints are needed for their children, install them incorrectly, use them incorrectly or less than 100% of the time, etc. Even people who are very well-educated on this topic find it difficult to keep up with the changing recommendations and demands of PROPERLY securing children in vehicles. My recommendation is to have your child's car seat inspected at the police department or other local checkpoint, check your State's child restraint laws, and read the manual for your car's seatbelt system or any car seats you may own THOROUGHLY. More than once. And remember to buckle them up properly for ANY trip--even around the corner. Most accidents occur very close to home (because those are the routes most people travel on a daily basis). The life you save could be your child's!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Am I reading here that many people don't wear seatbelts because the government requires it? Would they wear them if the government didn't require it?

I hate, hate, HATE government interference in private lives. However to me the government requiring seat belts has nothing to do with why I wear one. I just think it's the right thing to do.

I saw one poster who said they do it because they're told not to...fine with me.

For me, I didn't wear a seatbelt before there were laws saying you should. I just don't like seatbelts and wristbands and stuff like that. There might be a word for it that people smarter than I would know. It is kind of a claustrophobia thing, though I'm not claustrophobic. I just can't stand seatbelts and wristbands. They drive me bonkers with their constant presence...I can't put them on and forget them. If I could, I would.

And it isn't just me. Every once in a while, I would have a patient who just couldn't stand the wristband the hospital put on them. We aren't supposed to make them loose enough that they can be taken off...but I do it for those folks because I know exactly how they're feeling. If it is loose, you can put up with it. But if it isn't, it drives you mad. I do other stuff that I don't understand, too, though.

Sometimes you just have to respect that some people have freaky-weird feelings about something.

Hard to explain.

 

[ducklite]

I liken the seatbelt to my medic-alert bracelet. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I leave it on because it could very likely save my life.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Lots of people feel like that. They don't feel sorry for folks injured or killed if they didn't wear their seatbelt. They don't feel sorry for smokers who suffer or die from lung cancer. They don't feel sorry for people who have heart attacks or die (or lose their legs after getting DMII or any of the other gazillions of things being fat does to them) because they ate their way into it.

Many people have trouble working up compassion for others if those others didn't meet their standards.

If I had to pick, I'd rather live in a world full of compassionate people than a world full of seatbelt wearers.

Choosing to wear a seatbelt is very different from a person struggling with an addiction. If a person chooses not to wear a seatbelt, when there are overwhelming reports that show it saves life, then oh well. They deserve what they get because they "didn't feel like" buckling up. I do feel sorry for their parents, children, and siblings that will be devastated because the person only thought about themselves.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I liken the seatbelt to my medic-alert bracelet. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I leave it on because it could very likely save my life.

Bracelets, watches and wristbands - if they are loose enough (reeeeally loose), I can wear them. They still annoy me, but I can handle them if they're loose enough.

Otherwise, I can't. And generally, I don't. You won't see me wearing bracelts or watches.

I think it might make me a little battier than it makes you. It isn't a "sometimes" thing for me. It's constant and it builds, like Chinese water torture. It isn't actually torture, of course, but it is like having a bug crawling on you. THAT'S IT!!!! It's that same feeling!

I hope that anyone who wants to understand it will be able to now. I've known for a long time that very few people have the same issue with these things I do, but I could never explain it before! Now I can.

It isn't that big a deal, though. I just avoid seatbelts and wristbands.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I think it might make me a little battier than it makes you. It isn't a "sometimes" thing for me. It's constant and it builds, like Chinese water torture. It isn't actually torture, of course, but it is like having a bug crawling on you. THAT'S IT!!!! It's that same feeling!

Off-topic -

My youngest daughter has this very, very strange problem with her wrists; she absolutely HATES for them to be touched. Just the insides of them, and just her wrists. She will literally start crying if someone holds her by them.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Off-topic -

My youngest daughter has this very, very strange problem with her wrists; she absolutely HATES for them to be touched. Just the insides of them, and just her wrists. She will literally start crying if someone holds her by them.

I hope she doesn't end up freaky weird like me. Poor little thing.

The YMCA lets me wear my wristband strapped to my swimsuit strap or through my shoelaces or whatever. But there are places - like Disney - where getting someone to exempt you from their wristband thing is near impossible. So, you either keep having them put on and taken off or you give up and do without.

It kind of sucks. But, again, not that big a deal. I miss out on evening EMH, big whup.

 

[profdsny]

I saw one poster who said they do it because they're told not to...fine with me.

For me, I didn't wear a seatbelt before there were laws saying you should. I just don't like seatbelts and wristbands and stuff like that. There might be a word for it that people smarter than I would know. It is kind of a claustrophobia thing, though I'm not claustrophobic. I just can't stand seatbelts and wristbands. They drive me bonkers with their constant presence...I can't put them on and forget them. If I could, I would.

And it isn't just me. Every once in a while, I would have a patient who just couldn't stand the wristband the hospital put on them. We aren't supposed to make them loose enough that they can be taken off...but I do it for those folks because I know exactly how they're feeling. If it is loose, you can put up with it. But if it isn't, it drives you mad. I do other stuff that I don't understand, too, though.

Sometimes you just have to respect that some people have freaky-weird feelings about something.

Hard to explain.

If you think seatbelts are restricting your movement, try a body brace. Or a coffin.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Bracelets, watches and wristbands - if they are loose enough (reeeeally loose), I can wear them. They still annoy me, but I can handle them if they're loose enough.

Otherwise, I can't. And generally, I don't. You won't see me wearing bracelts or watches.

I think it might make me a little battier than it makes you. It isn't a "sometimes" thing for me. It's constant and it builds, like Chinese water torture. It isn't actually torture, of course, but it is like having a bug crawling on you. THAT'S IT!!!! It's that same feeling!

I hope that anyone who wants to understand it will be able to now. I've known for a long time that very few people have the same issue with these things I do, but I could never explain it before! Now I can.

It isn't that big a deal, though. I just avoid seatbelts and wristbands.

That almost sounds like you have a skin/tactile problem (?) Can you take/get shots with out problems? Also does certain clothing "bug" you? A little OT but I know a co-worker that cannot stand to wear long sleeved shirts. and he claims tht if feels like "bugs" on his skin!