[net.consumers] passenger use of seat belts

andrew@orca.UUCP (Andrew Klossner) (09/27/85)

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	"One way of getting people to buckle up in your car is buy a
	convertible!  I have a couple of friends who dislike seatbelts
	and only buckle up where required by law, but they will ALWAYS
	buckle up in my car, even in the back seat! I guess you realize
	how vulnerable you are."

Another approach, which I use, is simply not to start the car until
everyone has their seatbelt on.  I temper the heavy-handed nature of my
demand with comments such as "I haven't had an accident for over a
year, so it's high time."  With grandparents who just WILL NOT put on
their belts, I tell them that the car won't start until all passengers
are belted.  (This is true, because I won't turn the key, but is
misdirection because I let them think there's a mechanical linkage.
One of those "little white lies" that do more good than harm ... maybe
I should cross-post to ned.kids?  :-) )

If you have an accident and your passengers are injured, you may be
liable.  There is no reason to let recalcitrant passengers ride
unbelted.

  -=- Andrew Klossner   (decvax!tektronix!tekecs!andrew)       [UUCP]
                        (tekecs!andrew.tektronix@csnet-relay)  [ARPA]