Tulsa Police Cracking Down On Seatbelt Violations

[custosnox]

I was explaining, not defending. I'm pretty much all for seat belt laws that apply to children, since it's not really up to them if their dumbass parents don't belt them in. I'm much more ambivalent toward adult seat belt laws.

I can agree with that

Now I'll get into a mild defense: Bungee jumping is not to health insurance as seat belt laws are to auto liability. Requiring people to wear a seatbelt is a minimal intrusion on their freedom. Prohibiting them from recreational activities is a much greater intrusion.

Minimal or not, it is an intrusion. 

Lousy example.  Estimates are about 18 deaths since the 70's.  Wouldn't even show up on actuarial table. 

While driving still kills 30,000+ per year.  And the percentage is heavily stacked toward the side of not wearing seat belt as the main causative factor (especially percentage wise).  Which WOULD show up on same table.

No, it's not a lousy example, it's a hyperbole meant to point out that the idea of the government protecting us from ourselves is really stupid.

[dbacks fan]

While I agree that TPD has more important things to do, other people not wearing their seatbelt does affect you. When they get into a crash, they end up with more serious injuries, which ends up increasing the cost of everyone's liability insurance.

I think statistically that not only is an unbelted driver more likely to be injured, but they are also more likely to lose control of their vehicle in an accident.

[RecycleMichael]

ie drugs, drunk driving, possession of stolen goods, corpse in the trunk, hooker on the floor board...you know, a thursday night

I gotta party with you.

[Townsend]

I gotta party with you.

You were there last night...you must've ducked out early

[patric]

I think statistically that not only is an unbelted driver more likely to be injured, but they are also more likely to lose control of their vehicle in an accident.

Can anyone really think of a plausible scenario where a seatbelt has already restrained you in a potentially deadly crash, and you still somehow have enough control over your vehicle to put others at risk?

FYI, I consciously decided to use seatbelts long before any career politicians decided I wasnt smart enough to make that choice. 

[Conan71]

Can anyone really think of a plausible scenario where a seatbelt has already restrained you in a potentially deadly crash, and you still somehow have enough control over your vehicle to put others at risk?

FYI, I consciously decided to use seatbelts long before any career politicians decided I wasnt smart enough to make that choice. 

Ditto. Since I started driving.

[Red Arrow]

Can anyone really think of a plausible scenario where a seatbelt has already restrained you in a potentially deadly crash, and you still somehow have enough control over your vehicle to put others at risk?

I believe the issue is more of maintaining control.  A sudden swerve to miss something in the road could cause you to lose control of the vehicle if you find yourself in the passenger seat rather than the driver's seat.  Of course most drivers would just slam on the brakes and hit whatever.

I personally took a trip through a deep but gradual enough shoulder on Memorial just north of 81st before the road was improved with curbs. I was north bound and had gone through the intersection.  The southbound line of traffic hadn't totally started moving and someone came from the stores on the west side of the street, through the small hole in the traffic and positioned themself directly in front of me. No time to stop so I went for the shoulder, down through the dip, up the other side of the dip, back through the dip and onto the pavement.  I don't think I would have been successful without wearing a seatbelt.

[Conan71]

I believe the issue is more of maintaining control.  A sudden swerve to miss something in the road could cause you to lose control of the vehicle if you find yourself in the passenger seat rather than the driver's seat.  Of course most drivers would just slam on the brakes and hit whatever.

I personally took a trip through a deep but gradual enough shoulder on Memorial just north of 81st before the road was improved with curbs. I was north bound and had gone through the intersection.  The southbound line of traffic hadn't totally started moving and someone came from the stores on the west side of the street, through the small hole in the traffic and positioned themself directly in front of me. No time to stop so I went for the shoulder, down through the dip, up the other side of the dip, back through the dip and onto the pavement.  I don't think I would have been successful without wearing a seatbelt.

You did extend a middle finger of gratitude, didn't you?

[Townsend]

I believe the issue is more of maintaining control.  A sudden swerve to miss something in the road could cause you to lose control of the vehicle if you find yourself in the passenger seat rather than the driver's seat.  Of course most drivers would just slam on the brakes and hit whatever.

I personally took a trip through a deep but gradual enough shoulder on Memorial just north of 81st before the road was improved with curbs. I was north bound and had gone through the intersection.  The southbound line of traffic hadn't totally started moving and someone came from the stores on the west side of the street, through the small hole in the traffic and positioned themself directly in front of me. No time to stop so I went for the shoulder, down through the dip, up the other side of the dip, back through the dip and onto the pavement.  I don't think I would have been successful without wearing a seatbelt.

Tough to stay in a wet leather seat.

[Red Arrow]

You did extend a middle finger of gratitude, didn't you?

After I was done with the excursion.  I did get a flat tire out of it by about 46th St.  The other driver was going the same way as I was and stopped when I did.  He offered to pay to get the flat fixed so that defused the situation somewhat.

[Red Arrow]

Tough to stay in a wet leather seat.

Surprisingly enough, the seat stayed dry.  Also, vinyl - not leather. 

[Red Arrow]

Another reason to wear seatbelts:

In 1967, my father was in NY state in the spring.  There was snow on the road.  A driver coming from the other direction didn't negotiate the curve in the road and hit my dad's car head on at about 25 mph.  Totaled a 65 Buick LeSabre.  Dad got two bruised elbows and that's all.  The 65s didn't have shoulder belts.  Wearing his seatbelt protected dad from the other guy.

[dbacks fan]

I believe the issue is more of maintaining control.  A sudden swerve to miss something in the road could cause you to lose control of the vehicle if you find yourself in the passenger seat rather than the driver's seat.  Of course most drivers would just slam on the brakes and hit whatever.

I personally took a trip through a deep but gradual enough shoulder on Memorial just north of 81st before the road was improved with curbs. I was north bound and had gone through the intersection.  The southbound line of traffic hadn't totally started moving and someone came from the stores on the west side of the street, through the small hole in the traffic and positioned themself directly in front of me. No time to stop so I went for the shoulder, down through the dip, up the other side of the dip, back through the dip and onto the pavement.  I don't think I would have been successful without wearing a seatbelt.

I had three excursions between '95 and '97. Twice into the grass median on 169 north of Pine, the third was in the rain on the BA. Just got onto the BA going west from I44, and had a guy run me off just past the Sheridan exit sign. Went down the embankment headed for the little cluster of trees and tried to steer to the right and go up the other side. Had tu steer again to avoid someones back yard and wound up sliding back down into the trees. Only had to replace a fender instead of hitting the trees head on.

[Conan71]

Only had to replace a fender

And a pair of briefs, I'd imagine.

[dbacks fan]

And a pair of briefs, I'd imagine.

No, it was more of getting the drivers seat removed from my donkey each time. I think it's called the "pucker factor".