Are You Doing It?
Are You Doing It?NBC15 Blog Listing
Are You Doing It?
Topic Author: John Stofflet
Posted: 9:21 PM Jun 5, 2009
Replies Posted: 12 comments
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For the life of me, I just don't understand it.  Maybe those of you who aren't doing it can explain why you don't? 

Driving into work yesterday, I (carefully) did an informal survey of the drivers passing by to see how many were wearing their safety belts.   It's pretty easy to tell when people aren't buckled up, because the shoulder strap is not visible over their left shoulder.  

On the Beltline between Monona Drive and Fish Hatchery Road, I counted half a dozen drivers who were not wearing seat belts.  

After going to far too many traffic crashes over the years and seeing what happens to people who are not wearing seat belts, I would absolutely feel naked without my safety belt on.   

So, if you're someone who doesn't wear one, I'm just curious why?  One relative told me, "I want to be thrown clear of the wreckage in a crash."  I assured him he would be....if it was the last thing he did. 

Do you wear a safety belt or not?  I'd like to hear your reasons why you do or don't buckle up. 

 

 
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  • by Anonymous Location: Wisconsin on Jun 9, 2009 at 06:09 PM
    When I am driving I always wear my seatbelt. As a passenger, not always unless I'm in Illinois where it is a primary offense and the fine is $75.00. I am getting better at wearing it all the time, though. Seems like a good idea considering the consequences if you are thrown from a vehicle.
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  • by cassie Location: madison on Jun 9, 2009 at 09:15 AM
    you won't catch me without it.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Did you see my husband? on Jun 8, 2009 at 11:11 AM
    My hubby is nortorious for not wearing his seat belt! He gets in, buckles up.... then it's a trip to the ATM, unbuckles to do the transaction.... drives to the next destination without the belt. Then we get back in the car, buckles... then it's off to the Walgreen's drive through... unbuckles to get the prescription... and then off to the next destination... and the cycle repeats itself. I honestly think he just forgets to buckle. When we're together, I remind him. However, when he's alone, he doesn't buckle. I see the belt off when he pulls into the driveway. So if you saw my husband without his belt, all I can say is that I try to remind him wear it!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Diane Location: Seattle, WA on Jun 6, 2009 at 01:47 PM
    Always!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Packer Fan Location: WI on Jun 6, 2009 at 12:49 PM
    John- I always do. I used to be fifty-fifty on wearing it, until a seat belt saved me from going through the windshield. Now, I never leave home without it.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Deevers Location: Seattle on Jun 6, 2009 at 10:31 AM
    Back in high school, we were shown a driver's ed movie in which a police officer dealing with a fatality "thrown clear of the wreckage" said, "I've never had to unbuckle a corpse." That was the single most influential sentence I ever needed to hear. I read somewhere that those gory 50's era films were deemed ineffective, but that one may have saved my life.
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  • by Carol Location: Packer fan on Jun 6, 2009 at 10:27 AM
    I always wear my seat belt. Too me, it is just common since, that when you get in your car you put your seat belt on. There has been wrecks where people have died because of not wearing a seat belt.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by A Location: Madison on Jun 6, 2009 at 09:49 AM
    I always wear mine and make my passengers wear theirs too! Funny for something so important the police certainly don't do much about it... from what I know, they can't ticket for belts without having another reason to pull you over... and even then, the fine is minimal ($10?). Why not make it hurt... no belt? $250 and we can pull you at any time for it. You'd better believe most people wouldn't hesitate to buckle up then! I honestly think if we increased traffic law violation fines and consequences, people would drive better and it would be safer for them and everyone else!!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Sandra Location: Facebook on Jun 6, 2009 at 09:35 AM
    Always, always.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Vannessa Location: Facebook on Jun 6, 2009 at 09:34 AM
    "I wear mine. It can be madning when in the winter time but I still buckel up"
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Nancy Location: N.Y. N. Y. on Jun 6, 2009 at 07:59 AM
    I wouldn't be caught "alive" without my seatbelt. Like you. I feel undressed if I get in the car without it. I also don't allow people to ride in my car without one. It's a no-brainer. A seat belt is one of the most important inventions of our lifetime!!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Future Mrs. Whiffletree Location: the desk across from John's on Jun 5, 2009 at 10:36 PM
    John, I definitely wear my seatbelt ALL the time! I wouldn't want to get in an accident either. Maybe we can go out for a drive together one day and both wear our seatbelts?
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
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