Shane,
May I ask why you have disconnected the seat belt alarm? Its obvious
that you do not wear the belt. Is that a personal freedom choice?
I recall that before seat belt usage became mandatory I wore them
while flying and always thought it strange not to wear them in a car.
Here in the United States of America, mandatory seat belt usage is a matter
left to the individual states. Most (all?) states have enacted mandatory
seat belt laws -- I know my own state of Michigan has mandated their use,
along with mandating helmet use for motorcyclists. Personally, I would use
both my seat belt and my helmet (on my motorcycle -- not in my car!) even
without such laws, but I nonetheless resent these laws as a violation of
individual freedom.
I've been involved in enough online discussions about things automotive to
have learned that there is a very determined cadre of safety zealots who
knows what's best for all of us and doesn't have any reservation using the
force of law to compel compliance with thier own preferences for safety. It
matters not whether the issue is seat belts or helmets or cell phone usage
or anti-lock brakes or air bags: Those of us who would fail to take every
precaution to keep ourselves safe must be protected from our own stupidity.
Personally, I find the idea that somebody else can stop me from acting as I
want to act -- regardless of whether "safety" is the reason trotted out for
this restriction of freedom -- is unabashedly oppressive.
I completely support the right of those who would ride without a helmet to
do so, even though I always wear mine when riding -- even when riding in
neighboring Ohio, which does not mandate motorcycle helmet use. I
completely support the right of those who would drive without a seat belt to
do so, even though I always wear mine -- even when riding in the rear seat,
where seat belt use is not compulsory. I completely support the right of
drivers to disable their air bags, even though I want those on my own
vehicles completely functional. And so on. It's just not my place, nor the
place of my government, to tell people that they *have* to use these things.
It's not our place to force people to protect themselves from danger, if
such is not their wish.
"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from
oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that
will reach to himself." (Thomas Paine) There are instances where personal
choices can be demonstrated to have the potential to harm others. In such
cases, there is at least a reasonable (though not necessarily always
convincing) argument for restricting such personal choices. But there is no
such reasonable argument to defend the forced use of air bags, seat belts,
or motorcycle helmets. None at all.
Sorry this was so long. My US$0.02. What is that, about 0.008 or so Euros?
- Greg Reed
