Texas Seat Belt Law

So, a law was just recently passed in Texas saying all passengers in a car MUST wear their seat belt, otherwise, you can get ticketed. Frankly, I see very little justification in this, and am quite against it. I just don't think the government needs to be telling people how to protect themselves. The best way I can figure it, laws are there to protect people from others and the government, not themselves. It's kinda like "Big Brother is Watching."

Now, I am not very politically inclined, but it seems like this is little more than revenuing. Just another excuse to write a ticket. Is there some other justification behind something like this that I'm missing? Any of our politically-minded members want to fill me in?

Either way, it seems like it could be an interesting discussion.

We've always had seat belt laws, but they've been pretty lax. Now, it's a no-questions-asked kinda thing.

WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

If you can't handle the rules of driving, don't drive. This isn't even something remotely unfair or illogical, find something else to cry about.

/people missing my point

It's to comply with a federal requirement to receive some federal money for highway repair (like drinking ages).

Same issue came up in Wisconsin.

Okay, first, I DO wear my seat belt. Always. Secondly, my point is whether or not the government has the right to MAKE us. Sure, it saves lives. Sure, that's a good thing. But is it necessarily the gov't's job to tell us to do so?

I think mbro is the only one who made a relevant post...


Edited by DeTrevni - 08 September 2009 at 9:32pm

DeTrevni wrote: Okay, first, I DO wear my seat belt. Always. Secondly, my point is whether or not the government has the right to MAKE us. Sure, it saves lives. Sure, that's a good thing. But is it necessarily the gov't's job to tell us to do so?I think mbro is the only one who made a relevant post...

No you just have a weird hangup about the government making rules.

Welcome to the rest of the civilized world, Texas!

DeTrevni wrote: Okay, first, I DO wear my seat belt. Always. Secondly, my point is whether or not the government has the right to MAKE us. Sure, it saves lives. Sure, that's a good thing. But is it necessarily the gov't's job to tell us to do so? I think mbro is the only one who made a relevant post...

Let's think long and hard about this:

1) The government hands out drivers licenses, and you get in lots of trouble for driving without them.
2) The government has many other rules and regulations which were created in order to safeguard the users of our roads, namely drivers and passengers.

What's your problem again?  I'd answer that question, but it'd be harsh, and I think you should perhaps get over the fact that the government makes the rules, and occasionally they do it for your own good.


Edited by ParielIsBack - 08 September 2009 at 9:56pm

Can't any of you see the other major benefit? Reduction of injury and death saves MONEY! Less need for emergency services, less tax money that goes towards drivers.

But no... it's a commie liberal nanny-state measure because it forces people to do something on government maintained roads.