Click It Or Ticket

This is what happens when a government is given too much power. Time to shorten their leash...

I've always believed that victimless crimes such as not wearing a seat belt were always a bad idea. Unfortunately, I've been told by people who support such nanny state laws that it does hurt others if you're in an accident while not wearing a seat belt. Apparently making insurance prices go up qualifies as "hurting others". I still think the laws are stupid, and so does my husband, who fell victim to that law a few months back.

Our slimy legislature and Governor knew they couldn't pass such a draconian bill on its own, so they illegally added it to the last "budget" bill. Piss on the tyrants!

I'd have to think the traffic disruption caused by pulling someone over for not wearing their seatbelt would be far more dangerous to the public than the "crime" itself. It's just another excuse for them to pull you over & to write more tickets.

I don't think government needs to tell us about putting our seat belts on. We can figure that out ourselves.

Hi gewcew, I decided to respond to this as I have a different persepective. I lived in England where wearing a seatbelt has been compulsory for years, I'm not sure if the law was around when I actually started driving or not. It was just a way of life there and I had no problem with it, it seemed the safe thing to do, and set a good example to children as passengers that they should always belt up too. I now live in Greece where I suspect the law is relatively knew though has been in place for the 6 years I have lived here. Greeks hate following rules and only buckle up if they think there is likely to be a policeman about. They is is ludicrous as we have so many road accidents here and so many people could have been spared if they had followed the law. Greek passengers don't like wearing them but I tell them they must because of the high fine for not wearing one. I don't consider this law a violation of my rights, there are far more stupid laws around. The new anti smoking law is much more a violation of rights in a country where 48% of the population smoke.

Legislative bodies consisting mostly of democrats pass laws that protect morons from harming themselves merely because democrats know very well who votes for them.

$162 that was the fine I got two weeks ago for not wearing my seatbelt. I remember back in the late 80's or early 90's when they put the law in effect and it cost me $25! I hate the fact that a few people die then the government puts in a cash grab law under the guise of saving lives. If I don't want to wear a seatbelt that should be my choice in a free world but no more laws are inacted. What will be next? What else does the government think will make them lots of mony under the pretense they are saving our lives! I have to admit I have put my seat belt on lately, who can afford $162!

In a way I agree with you. Your body, your choice. I myself, am responsible and intelligent enough to wear my seat belt for my own safety and those in my car will wear theirs for their safety. Although I do understand the part about why do we need the government telling us what is best for us...in this case I am glad they are doing this... not because I need it, but because there are so many people out there in on-coming traffic that need it. I have seen kids crawling the back seats out of seat belts and they would get killed if an accident happened... just cause their parents were not responsible enough to make sure they were safe. I am glad they did the car seat law too - someone needs to protect the kids if the parents don't care enough to do so. If a person that is licensed to drive... thereby assumingly intelligent enough to do it responsibly, chooses not to wear a seat belt.. yes, that is their choice, but the problem comes when they have an accident and get hurt and try to take it out on the other driver... the law suits pile up and there are so many loop holes in the legal system that a driver that did hit the person without the seat belt could be liable for all injuries to the other person...which could have been avoided if that other person had worn their seat belt. I really don't see the big issue of wearing them anyway. Not like they are uncomfortable or restraining or "in the way". THey make them with all kinds of comfort features. Bottom line.. do you want to be safe or have things your way? If everyone was wearing them all this time.. there wouldn't be a law now to wear them. (and I use the word "you", as an adjective pronoun... not directing it to "you" as the author of this post!) Happy MyLotting!

We've had the seat belt law for a number of years. I believe there's also child restraint laws of how big a kid has to be before they can go without a car seat. We don't have a helmet law though because of some bad wording in the law or something like that.

Not wearing a seat belt became a primary offense in Florida recently meaning that we can be pulled over for that alone. Oddly enough, Florida has no helmet law so motorcyclists are free to risk serious head injuries while I'm belted inside of my vehicle. No, I don't believe it's the government's job to become society's babysitter.

My sister is an EMT and we have had this discussion recently. We came to the conclusion that if you do not want to wear your seat belt then fine, but you are taking the chance of exiting your car in more than one peice. From my point of view I would rather wear the seat belt than have an emergency worker have to look around the crash site to find the parts of me that the glass ripped to shreads. I am sorry if that is graphic to some of the readers, but in my opinion, while you really only harm yourself physically if you do not wear a seat belt. You are not harming anyone if you do wear your belt. But at the same time, if I am in an accident with someone, say a head on collision. And I am in my belt but they are not in theirs, chances are that they are going to bust through their windshield and land on mine or through mine. That would effect me. And actually I do want tabbaco illegal, because it effects my health whether I am the smoker or not. To sum it up:yeah, there are better things that government could be working on. But how hard is it to buckle up?

I remember the good old days when as a child I could sit anywhere in the car, backseat, frontseat, and hey, no stupid seatbelt!! And then along came the ugly, alien looking helmets for bicycle riders. I used to ride my bike everywhere without having to wear one of those. When does it stop?? Thanks, great discussion.