Click it or Ticket? Shove it.

Click it or Ticket your Ass

Seatbelts are a great idea, they save countless lives everyday. For every story about how a seatbelt killed someone, or of someone who survived because they were unbelted there are 10,000 more where the belt was life saving. Every scientific study done says that you’re safer belted, and while I’m sure you and your mother think you’re very smart, if you think you’re safer unbelted, 50+ years of scientific research all points to you not knowing what the hell you’re talking about. Then there are the people who say they want to be able to jump out of the way in a crash, if you had time to jump, you would have time to not hit the thing you’re about to smash into and p.s. where the fuck are you going to jump? The whole car is going to crash, were you planning on jumping out the window? You’re not that athletic, and even if you were you would get hit by another car passing by.

They say that 75% of people wear their seatbelt while 25% break the law and don’t, I’m saying if it weren’t the law and just a good idea, 75% of people would wear them and 25% would opt not to. It’s a bogus law. People do not choose whether or not they’re going to put their belt on based on the law, either they’re going to listen to the experts, or they’re smarter than the experts and the law isn’t going to change anyone’s mind, it’s a “my body my choice” kind of thing .

If you choose not to wear your belt, the only life you are endangering is your own. A fine for such an offense is a tax on stupidity and personal freedom. Plus, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. If the states are really serious about saving lives they should take steps to protect people from others, by cracking down hard on DUIs, increasing the regulation on auto-manufactures and safety inspections, requiring hands free cell phones and banning texting while driving, taking better care of the roads and adding more street lights. These types of laws, regulation and programs would save the lives of innocent people who simply end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Passing these kinds of laws is not easy, they cost money and affect many people, versus the seatbelt laws that don’t affect most people, and the people that are affected aren’t in much of a position to complain. What will have more of an impact, fewer drunk drivers, safer roads, cars and driving conditions, or fining people that are too stubborn for their own good? Saving lives is a great goal, but if you say that you’re serious about something, people are going to assume that you’re serious about it, that purposeful, meaningful steps are being taken, hard choices being made, those are lofty, noble aims that ought to be achieved and commended. Instead we get pandering.

Wear your belt; it could save your life. While you’re at it, check the pressure in your tires, use a designated driver, and keep your hands free while you’re on the phone, that could save your life and someone else’s too.