[email protected]

In a message dated 5/4/03 8:48:29 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< And besides that, there's the issue of freedom. It's probably true
that seatbelts save lives--usually, at least. I just think that we
should have the freedom to decide issues like that for ourselves
without big brother looking over our shoulder deciding for us. >>

I agree, mostly.
But when all of our insurance rates are affected by people not wearing them,
then it's more than simple freedom.
The whole insurance thing seems like such a scam though...don't even get me
started.

Ren
"They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible
spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the
moon."
--The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear

Robyn Coburn

<< And besides that, there's the issue of freedom. It's probably true
that seatbelts save lives--usually, at least. I just think that we
should have the freedom to decide issues like that for ourselves
without big brother looking over our shoulder deciding for us.>>



Here is some information to help you decide. I couldn't find the website
I have seen before that shows that motor vehicle accidents are the
leading cause of death for people between 1 and 19 but I did find this
information. I googled "cdc child deaths" and found a lot of lengthy
statistics, including that 63% of mva fatalities are in rural areas.
(Who would have guessed that?) Also there are fewer mva deaths now than
in 1953, a result that the website writer attributed almost entirely to
safety features in vehicles including seat belts, and stronger crack
downs on drunk drivers.

Bottom line for me: I don't think we can expect our children to put on
their seatbelts if we don't do it.



Robyn Coburn




http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/chldseat.htm



National Child Passenger Safety Week
February 9-15, 2003

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children in
the United States. In the United States during 2001, 1579 children ages
14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and
approximately 228,000 were injured. That's an average of 30 deaths and
more than 4,300 injuries each week (NHTSA 2002).

Of the children ages 4 years and younger who were fatally injured in
2001, nearly 50 percent were completely unrestrained (NHTSA 2002).

Most of these injuries could have been prevented. Placing children in
age-appropriate restraint systems reduces serious and fatal injuries by
more than half (NHTSA 2002).

National Child Passenger Safety Week occurs each year during the week of
Valentine's Day, bringing public attention to the importance of safely
transporting children. This year, the focus of National Child Passenger
Safety Week is on the 4 Steps for Kids: rear-facing infant seats,
forward-facing toddler seats, booster seats, and finally seat belts. Of
course, all children ages 12 years and younger should ride in
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/chldseat.htm#back#back> the
back seat.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

kayb85

> Here is some information to help you decide.

Oh, the issue for me isn't whether or not wearing seatbelts is a good
idea. It probably is. I just don't like that the "experts" are
making the decision for me whether or not I or my kids wear a belt.
I'm capable of making an intelligent decision on my own. I don't
mind that people do studies and statistics and speak passionately
about wearing seatbelts. I just don't like a law that says, "We've
decided this is what is safest for you, it doesn't matter if you
agree or not. Do it or else."

Sheila