Seat Belt Enforcement Laws are Beneficial

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Does everyone have their seat belts on? This is a question that children hear repeated each time their parents start the vehicle. Seat belt laws are enforced in in forty-nine of the fifty states even so; parents reiterate it time after time to keep us safe rather than just following the law. Beginning in the 1930’s, physicians determined that a lap belt should be used in automobiles to avoid serious injury or a fatality. Over the years, the simple two-point lap belt has evolved into a multiple point seat belt used for many different types of driving. Racer car drivers generally use a five-point harness. However, for normal every day driving “the three-point”, lap and shoulder combination “is considered the safest version and is the kind found in most vehicles today” (“Seat Belts”, 2010). Seat belts are the primary prevention of ejected passengers. Opponents argue that wearing seatbelts should be a personal choice, not something enforced by a law. Proponents support the initial theory; it is safer to remain within the confines of the vehicle for increased protection. It is imperative that seat belts laws are enforced to increase seat belt use, decrease motor vehicle injuries and fatalities, in addition, reduce costs in medical expenses and insurance claims from automobile accidents.

To begin with, it is only appropriate that the government would require regulations on automakers to install the safety restraints. “The National HighwayTransportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recognized for many years that motor vehicle crashes are responsible for ninety percent of all transportation related deaths are caused by highway crashes” (Roeber, 2008). Moreover, state legislation finds it suitable to enforce laws ...

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...onents should be happy to have the choice. They can preserve the lives in their vehicle or take a chance in receiving a ticket. The choice is theirs. I have made my choice, and I choose to be safer than sorry.

Works Cited

Balaker, T. (2008). Seat belt laws are unnecessary. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database.

Higgins, K. (2010). Primary seat belt laws enforcement laws are beneficial. Cars in America. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database.

Roeber. D.E. (2008). Seat belts reduce highway fatalities. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database.

“Seat Belts”. (2010). In Current Issues. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database

Tilton, B. (2010). Seat belt laws are intrusive. Cars in America. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database.

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