The original political action for getting everyone to wear seat belts was when Bob Dole's wife was Secretary of Transportation. She made a deal with auto companies that if they would help her get state governments to push for seat belt laws, she let them slide a little on some mandatory safety stuff that had been mandated by the feds.
So they created the lobby effort and we got mandated seat belt laws. At first it was only 'suggested' that you wear one.
And, they used to say that you have a 50% chance of surviving a crash if you are wearing a seat belt. Now they don't even mention that fact. Seat belts were designed for head-on collisions, not side impact.
Somehow no one talks about the people who die as a result of being stuck in a seat belt as their side of the car meets a solid object like a tree.
Somehow no one talks about the people who die as a result of being stuck in a seat belt as their side of the car meets a solid object like a tree.
I've seen a number accidents involving a motor vehicle crashing into a stationary object. I can't recall any instances where it was a side impact, but I can imagine a scenario when that could occur.
Also, the probability of being ejected from a vehicle increases significantly when you aren't wearing a seat belt. The probability of surviving after being ejected during a collision or rollover becomes quite small.
Whether there should be laws mandating seat belts or helmets is debatable. But if someone chooses not to wear a seat belt or helmet, it should be considered negligent behavior which could allow some waiver of benefits.
Just because a seat belt is not a panacea that provides protection in all possible situations doesn't mean it's a useless tool. I always wear a seat belt -- because I want to, not because you tell me to! :)
P.S. Nice screen name, cousin!