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Wearing a seat belt: mandatory or voluntary

Kaci Koviak Anchor

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13 Comments

POSTED: Monday, May 28, 2012 - 8:34am

UPDATED: Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 10:44am

TYLER — The annual "Click it or Ticket" campaign is in full force across the state.

Some believe though, that the mandatory seat belt law is just another way for the state to make an extra buck.

KTBB'S Garth Maier asks East Texans if they think wearing a seat belt should be mandatory or voluntary.

Comments News Comments

tonks May 30, 2012
at 11:23pm

This law, just like motorcycle helmets, was propelled by insurance companies. It's really an economics issue. People want to exercise their freedom, but when rushed to the emergency room after a horrific accident, these freedom seekers want everyone else to pay for their extremely expensive medical care and long term treatment for their head injuries, disability because they can no longer feed themselves or go to the bathroom by themselves etc.

Freedom May 29, 2012
at 4:13pm

Rattatooey,

Don't confuse an opposition to government use of force with an opposition to seat belts. I doubt that those who speak out against this coercion have a beef with the actual seat belts. The problem is with the government forcing us into a certain type of behavior "for our own good."

If we allow government control of our individual choices because some people won't make the right choice, then we surrender our own free will. If we outlaw everything risky, why not ban all cars?

Rattatooey May 30, 2012
at 7:52am

Not confused at all - I just know that sensible people will wear seat belts. They save live, reduce the seriousness of injuries, cut down on fatalities, and lower Health Care costs.
You choose - safety or endangerment? NO-BRAINER

Freedom May 30, 2012
at 11:22am

That is exactly my point - if it is required by law, we CAN'T choose.

Yes, sensible people will wear seatbelts. They will also get regular check-ups and save for retirement. Should that be required by law as well?

Rattatooey May 29, 2012
at 12:51pm

How stupid do you have to be to oppose the mandatory wearing of seatbelts? It has been proven over and over, that seat belts (worn correctly) reduce serious injuries and fatalities. And so it has got to be...."CLUNK - CLICK" every trip. If you oppose wearing seatbelts, go to Columbia, Guatemala, or Arentina, because they dont really care if you do, or you dont. Wearing seat belts also produces considerable cost reduction in Healthcare.

texas77865 May 28, 2012
at 10:52pm

Mandatory. Although it is easier on us firemen when you non-seatbelt-wearers self extricate. It's a lot less work on us. Of course, your living through the wreck would be easier on your loved ones. Y'all quit your whining and wear the damn seatbelts, money scheme or not, it can save your life.

Rattatooey May 29, 2012
at 12:52pm

WELL SAID TEXAS 77865

bigtxsbear1 May 28, 2012
at 5:19pm

Anything that does't hurt anyone but yourself should be left up to the person. I thought this was a FREE country.

Rattatooey May 29, 2012
at 3:52pm

Let me ammend your name - BIG TEX DOLT1.
So lets see what would happen under your direction:
1. I like to drive well over the speed limit - great - I can do it
2. I really do not like paying taxes - great - let's not do it
3. Can take stuff from stores and not pay - HEY!
4. I can take your car without asking - YEAH!
5. Another good thing - I could keep my kids at home - to keep me company - school is a waste of time anyway - WHOOPEE!
6. I can violate underage girls - so cute.
U R FULL OF IT TEX!

Freedom May 30, 2012
at 8:45am

Rattatooey,

Number 6 is rape. Numbers 3 and 4 are theft. Number 5 is something you can do now. I'll give you speeding.

As for taxes, they are a form of coercion whereby the government takes the fruit of our labor without our consent. They claim that it is for the "common good" as if that makes the theft more acceptable. If the if the government can take your land for non-payment of taxes, do you really own it? If we must pay the State to own our property, than aren't we just renting it?

Working stiff May 28, 2012
at 8:56am

Should Texas really have any laws?? If living in this state illegaly can be over looked daily. Or is that not a crime?? Why not drive without a seatbelt? Or sell drugs.Where do you decide what is a crime that is the kind you turn a blind eye!

Freedom May 29, 2012
at 4:02pm

Yes, we should have laws that punish those who violate our rights. Ideally, our laws should be based on property rights and violators should be made to pay restitution.

Just as there is nothing evil about not wearing a seat belt, there is nothing inherently evil about crossing an imaginary line drawn by a map maker.

mike75785 May 28, 2012
at 5:06pm

I'm 70 years old and don't like the government telling me anything. I believe this seat belt law is just another money grab by the state.

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