wh@homxb.UUCP (W.HEINMILLER) (04/19/85)
Comments on a recent submission by Gail Bayley Hanrahan (ihnp4!sdcsvax!calmasd!gail) > I think it's pretty well established that it's smart to wear a > seat belt. But if I don't wear a seat belt, I'm not endangering > anyone but myself. By not wearing a seatbelt you endanger my pocketbook/wallet. My insurance rates are based on all the people that get hurt because they won't/don't wear seatbelts. > The REAL issue is, should the government(s) be making laws > *requiring* people to wear seat belts just because it's "for > your own good"? Can we next expect legislation requiring us to > take vitamins, as well? [sarcasm] The >REAL< issue is whether I can be forced to pay to make up for the stupidity of people that won't take reasonable precautions when they place themselves in a hazardous environment. > Where do we draw the line? I think a reasonable alternative might be a solution like I have heard is used in some European countries. They leave the decision to wear a seatbelt up to you, but if you get hurt without a seatbelt, the insurance benefits you can collect are severely limited. They consider not wearing a seatbelt "contributory negligence". (You've contributed to the severity of your injuries.) Wayne Heinmiller Bell Communications Research ihnp4!houxm!homxb!wh Freehold, NJ "Seatbelts - Don't leave home without them!"
acuff@osu-eddie.UUCP (Richard Acuff) (04/21/85)
Many people argue that others not wearing seatbelts is costly to them because of increased (direct and indirect) medical costs, and so they want legislated sanctions forcing people to wear belts. I do not understand this argument in light of the number of tobacco smokers in this country. Tobacco smoking does much, much more to raise health care costs than seatbeltless auto passengers, yet the government continues to subsidize the tobacco industry. If I must wear a seatbelt, then you may not smoke. -- Rich
dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale) (04/22/85)
In article <260@osu-eddie.UUCP> acuff@osu-eddie.UUCP (Richard Acuff) writes: > > If I must wear a seatbelt, then you may not smoke. Sounds like a perfectly marvellous idea to me!
dana@gitpyr.UUCP (Dana Eckart) (04/22/85)
> > If I must wear a seatbelt, then you may not smoke. > > -- Rich Sounds like a terrific idea -- I'm ALL for it!!!!!! (Either that or put sealed plastic bubbles on the heads of smokers to let them see how a smoke filled room appears to the rest of us :-)) Dana Eckart