yep it was him, but at least that message was a good one

this

I used to rally years ago and my navigator also used to race ( club level ) One you have demolished a few vehicles and walked away you will always wear your belt

Not here, that's for sure. But a few years back I went to visit my brother on my Honda 750, he lived amongst gorgeous farm fields, and it was a beautiful day, and I took my helmet off for the lest few miles of the trip and it was nirvana. What a feeling.

Several states in the US allow no-helmet riding. The exact specifics vary by state. Some have age limitations, require an additional insurance addition, etc.

The law here went into effect in '86 but I know I wore seat belts before that as I was a kid when I started (I turned 17 in' 86). And being the stubborn, persistent, and anal person I am I badgered my parents and brother until they wore them every single time.

I've been in a couple of accidents where they minimized injury and possibly prevented death (I would have definitely hit the low angle windshield and possibly gone through it for all I know).

Like others I get VERY uncomfortable if I'm not wearing it - sometimes confused with the thought that something is seriously wrong.

The stupid part is it's not required below age 16 although the car seat law mostly (if not completely) fills in the gap.

Amazing the disregard for safety when we were young. I used to sit in the front seat sans belt with a toy steering wheel suckered onto the dash that had a steel column about a foot long. That was in a Ford Anglia in the fifties which could rarely reach 40 anyway.
Never wore any head protection other than an old leather flying helmet on my motorbike until helmets were made compulsory in 1969. Even rode in a rally protesting about the introduction of the law.
When I had my last accident in 2005 my helmet was scraped almost down to the lining as were my leathers from sliding down the road.

When I was younger cars didn't have them. As soon as it became law in New York State I started wearing one. When I was on the Police Dept in the mid 70's we were exempt from wearing seat belts because they could prevent us from getting to our sidearm if nescessary. Although, I did put it on if i was driving under redlight and siren. I couldn't be in a vehicle without one today. Here in New York State a person over 16 is not required to wear one in the back seat.

My Dad used to have an Anglia,dark blue I think it was. Well he went into the back of a car that was waiting to turn right and muggins here hit the windscreen (no seat belt). It hurt but it was a slow contact so I was lucky. He said not to mention it to mum,bless him.

Same, completely at unease if not fastened.

Weirdly enough, in Cabs in the city for some reason I never use them (back seat)

In normal cars - all the time.

If anyone cares, here is a video from the other side in which you can see what actually started the crash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fql9iy8jvf0

And here a video of the crash site aftermath:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7tmCxP5XrVM#t=92

No railguard between opposite lanes...on the other hand this could have occur on every road...

I agree. Seatbelt would have not done much to save this person.

Had a '66 Chev Biscayne with plastic seat covers. In the winter there was this residential intersection of 5 streets. We use to try to do a donut and exit out the correct street.

One very cold night gave it a try but found myself on the passenger side of the car still holding the steering wheel. Put on the seatbelt from that day on, not for my well being but to maintain control of the vehicle.

LOL, that's what I was about to write! In my formative years I used to tear up and down the country roads slightly too fast for conditions...seatbelt held me on the right side of the car when I slid into a ditch or jumped a bump in the road. Hell, I used to take that POS '75 Honda Civic off road just for the hell of it.

When I got into my first real wreck - oddly enough, not my fault - the frame of the car was twisted to where only three wheels touched pavement, the door wouldn't close because it was warped in the frame (still don't know how I managed to open it) with the hinges locked, and the whole thing looking smushed beyond belief from both ends.

Little bit sore from the shoulder strap and that was it. County didn't ask if I was wearing a belt or not, saying "If you're standing here talking about it you were wearing them."

Wearing the seatbelt is an unconscious habit to me, it's happened several times that I've put it on when I'm just moving a car out of the garage... Lately I've started to make sure that I don't have a belt buckle or a thick jacket under the strap while driving, they can really mess things up in a crash.

I think the prevalence of airbags have made people less worried about seatbelts, but an airbag won't keep you in the car. It's a shame when people don't listen to simple advice.

Of course, my mother-in-law turns every belt into a lap belt because she "can't take" the strap being near her neck.



The Jedi Master

Saying an airbag is useless if the occupant leaves the vehicle is beside the point. Even if they stay in the car, the airbag won't perform its function (preventing the head hitting the steering wheel) if the body isn't restrained by a seatbelt.

It was because of my motorcycle accidents when I was 16 & 17 that drove me into always wearing my seatbelt. I won't even start driving if people don't have their belt on.

NH is still a "Live Free or Die" state so helmets are optional... Stupid IMO