Seatbelt Violation: Should wearing seatbelts be a personal decision?

Question

Okay I understand it is the law but fining people $200.00 for not wearing seatbelts and failure to change address is ridiculous. My boyfriend was leaving the store and he was just about to put his seatbelt on when the CHP decided to be seriously ridiculous and pull us over.....we were driving through East Oakland (big mistake on our part) and stopped at a store for cigarettes as my boyfriend pulled from the curve he had his hand on the seatbelt just about to put it on.

Instead of harrassing people over seatbelts they should be citing people for running redlights, speeding, reckless driving moreso than a seatbelt...I see it all the time people running red lights right in front the CHP without getting pulled over.

My opinon: Wearing a seatbelt is a personal decision. think about it. You'd think with all this gun violence, prostitution, drug trafficking in the bay area, they'd take a seatbelt into consideration. What do you think?

Is the system being too greedy?

Answer 1

I think wearing a seatbelt should be a personal decision.  But, you know the law and if you break it you pay the fine.  Really sucks.  Especially on something like a seatbelt.

Answer 2

I thought America was suppose to be the land of the free. AKA the land where you can speak your mind and make your own choices not the land where the gov't tell you what to do and say.

Answer 3

your mad now cause you got a ticket but seat belts do save lives and theres proof to show it. you, i and everyone knows that you need not to worry about other people but worry about your self and that argument about other people running red lights and there was another person doing that why didnt you stop them is good but the cop doesnt care about those people while writting the ticket. next time click it or else pay that ticket and 200 for a seat belt violation is alot but its beter than getting killed peace out

Answer 4

I think it should be a personal decision, but there are people out there that will get into a wreck without one, get seriously injured, and then sue the state because no on e told them they might get hurt. What the heck happened to common sense?

Answer 5

its the law. not a choice

Answer 6

Seatbelts have been proven to save lives and lessen the severity of injuries in accidents by keeping people from being thrown around in or thrown out of the vehicle.   In other words,  keeping them were it is safest.    This in turn,  lessens the medical costs associated to whatever party ends up paying,  often the taxpayers.   This is the basis of seatbelt laws.

Your boyfriend and you are aware fo the law,  yet he didn't put his belt on before putting the car in gear.    Quit your whining!!!

Answer 7

absolutley should be a personal desicion, so should helmets.  however i also think that your health insurance should not cover injuries if you are not wearing a seat belt

Answer 8

Seat belts and helmets should be a personal decision, but the "nanny state" liberals who do not believe in freedom, but rather believe that we are stupid and have to be protected, have gotten the power. They now have two things they like best, power over others, and a way to take money from hard working people and give it to the government!

While wearing a seat belt is a good idea, it should not be forced upon someone. Freedom means that we can make choices that may not be the "best" in someone else's view, but is right for us!