Are seat belt laws unconstitutional?

Question

Although I nearly always buckle up, simply because I think my statistics of surviving a crash with the belt on is reason enough to do so- I still have a huge problem with my government forcing me to live healthy.

It seems to me that seat belt laws are a classic example of the government trying to protect me from myself- which is exactly what our founders didn't want; thus why they wrote the constitution.

To me its more of an issue of principle... Although I try to live healthy, I don't like being forced to by my government... My fear is that this is only a small step towards one day the government having a much larger role in forcing "public health"- as is currently being demonstrated in Japan where it is "illegal" to be overweight now!

Answer 1

Personally, I think it should be your choice (provided you are over 18). The same for motorcycle helmets. HOWEVER, if you're in an accident, you should forfeit any right to sue if you weren't wearing a seat belt or helmet.

Answer 2

The constitutional police powers of the state permit regulations for health, safety, morality, and general welfare of the public. (The morality one is pretty contraversial). This includes the right of states to make seatbelt laws to protect the safety of the citizens.

I understand your reservations (although I don't totally agree), but to answer your question, no, it is not unconstitutional.

Answer 3

Firstly, the constitution is a document that dictates government-citizen relations, so as to have efficient and non-tyrannical rule. Secondly, while it may seem that seat belt laws are protecting you from yourself, they also protect the safety of others. In a more violent crash, your body may become a projectile and injure somebody else. It also puts less strain on medicare, which in my country Canada we have. Why should doctors operate on someone who could've had lowered the severity of their injuries while someone's is struggling with a brain hemorrhage?

Answer 4

so are you against gym class as well, it is designed to give the kids of America exercise so that they can be healthier and it is mandatory

Answer 5

I don't see any clause of the constitution that is violated by this law. There is no right lose your power of speech, no right to lose arms, and no right to disassembly in the Bill of Rights.  :-)

And you are mistaken. The seat belt laws are not for your protection. They are for our protection; so the rest of us don't have to pay your medical bills (either directly or through increased insurance rates) to keep you alive after your car has been wrecked.