You should buckle up, but it shouldn’t be a law
January 12th, 2009, 5:18 pm · 1 Comment · posted by kylew
My column in the Jan. 14 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin encourages the community to pull together for 21 days to make regular seat belt use an area-wide habit.
I think everyone should use their seat belt.
I just don’t think it should be required by law.
For those wondering how I can take such a contradictory stance, let me clarify:
I think everyone should wear their seat belt.
However, I don’t think it should be required by law, for the same reasons we don’t legally require people to exercise regularly or eat balanced diets. (Exception: Parents should be required to buckle up their kids. Once the kids turn 18, then they should be able to decide for themselves).
I personally buckle up — some might say excessively, as I’ll buckle up to move the car a few feet to a different spot in our driveway — but that doesn’t mean the government should demand it.
What is your take? Keep the seat belt laws on the books? Drop them? Keep them and add a few more laws designed to protect people from themselves?
Post your thoughts below.
One can agree that seat belts save lives and also that laws requiring them are excessive. The “nanny state” can be intrusive but many of us tend to lose common sense in matters we deem mundane, like driving. It comes down to good driving habits. Don’t speed, obey stop signs and red lights, buckle-up, etc.