and why you should wear your seatbelts...

Could be considered graphical for the young ones...

http://thelibertydigest.com/2013/12/26/watch-woman-thrown-end-over-end-from-vehicle-no-seat-belt/

The words were graphic enough for me

I no longer feel comfortable sitting in a travelling vehicle without my seatbelt on

Ugh.
Didn't look like a seat belt would have mattered...

Just looking at the name of the link makes me not want to click it.

That was pretty gnarly.

I have always worn one and my kids the same, lost my Mum to no seatbelt, Aunty who was also in the car survived, pretty banged up but she wore her belt.

That vid was a pretty brutal crash though, don't know if the seatbelt would have saved her, but still. Better on than off, there is no argument for not wearing one.

No seatbelt - walk.

Wearing seatbelts is compulsory over here. Apparently some people only do the smart thing if their wallets are threatened...rather than their health (and that of others when they turn into a meaty and bony projectile).

I cannot understand why anyone wouldn't wear a setbelt. It's Darwinian Selection at work.

+1

Seatbelts and radial tires are the best insurance you can buy.

WC

I've always worn one without even thinking. Had a head-on in my '66 Mustang and was glad I had sprung to put at least lap belts in the front--the car only had lap belts in the back. Bashed my face on the wheel pretty good, but dammit I was in the car.

I drove a VW Bug that didn't have them for years, but always wear them in any other vehicle.

Used to drive a nice 1964 Chevy short bed, step side pick up. Sold it when my oldest son was born (1991) in part because it didn't have seat belts. Since then I've only driven vehicles with seat belts and I always use them.

And I am not so sure that woman would have died in that wreck had she not been thrown from the vehicle. We don't really see the condition of the vehicle after it came to rest AND regardless I have seen some vehicles that appeared to be almost completely destroyed in which people survived, walked away from even.

My father, a retired Illinois State Trooper never wore his seatbelt when we were younger. He was a product of the times, cars didn't have belts in the 50s and early 60s so he didn't wear it.

In 1972 it became mandated that all ISP officers would wear seatbelts while in their car. I remember him complaining about the rule but he complied. Begrudgingly.

One fall day he was on a highway south of Chicago when a guy flew by him. He cranked his 1971 LTD (with a 429 super cobrajet under the hood) and sped off to catch this guy. He had the car up to 80 and was accelerating when a tractor trailer pulled out in front of him. He nailed that truck right in the drivers side wheel. He literally tore the front end off of that truck. He barely had time to press for the brakes and they figured he was doing close to 80 when he nailed the truck. The engine was pushed back into the passenger side of the car. Remember, this was a 71 LTD, not a small car.

He broke four ribs (if I remember right), his pelvis and got generally bashed around in the car, but stayed in the car. He apparently asked the paramedic at the scene if he was dead yet.

He survived. He spent a few weeks in ths hospital, had a limp for a while but has had no negative effects from the accident. He became a religious convert to seatbelts after that. No one gets in his car without wearing them. As an ER and ICU nurse I have seen several ejections from car crashes. Even as slow as 30mph someone can be flung out of a car. People don't land nicely from such an ejection. Imagine parachuting on your head.

That was terrible to watch. That said I always buckle up and not because "Its the law"!

I drove without one for years but I buckle up before I start the car now. Being "thrown clear" was the misguided principle we believed was safer than burning up or drowning in the car if you went into water.


Wheels

Quite graphic, I hope she didn't suffer.
"Clunk Click every trip" was the message given out here when I was a youth. I was brought up around a car repair garage, some of the first jobs I under took in the garage was retrofitting seatbelts to cars that came without them.

My father's garage was the official police garage the was called out in the case of any fatality or if people were trapped within the car as we had the specialist tools for opening up cars, this was in the 1960s, long before the firebrigade took on that role in the UK. We built special patrol cars for the police for use in rescue situations, the old road along Loch Lomond was bad and notorious for it's accidents with a lot of fatalities, especially from people putting their cars in to the loch and these cars were to patrol that sector to try and help cut down the number of deaths along there. The cars were featured on the TV and there were a few magazine articles made about them too. **

Over the years there have been a few accidents I have been to that seatbelts were a menace but by far and away seatbelts help save lives. I always use them and when I met my wife I was shocked that in her car the seat belts were frayed and useless, it was one of the first things I did for her was replace the seatbelts in her Discovery.


** just did a search on them and found this on Ebay!
Pinky and Perky Patrol cars

and more pics here http://www.imps4ever.info/misc/police.html

Ugh,Jimmy Savile

My mum drilled into us kids the need to wear our seat-belts before it was made compulsory (1983 in the UK) so it wasn't a problem to us when the law came in.

I feel naked without mine on. A bit like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.(Is that even allowed anywhere now?)

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

We had an accident about a month ago where a guy was ejected through the sunroof and landed below. The first report I read said he walked up the hill telling the cops that he needed to get to work...

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local...n-revere-crash/

I would never take my chances of that kind of luck happening.

Until the 1970's Formula 1 cars didn't have seatbelts, it was thought (and maybe rightfully so) that the driver had the best chance of survival if he was thrown out of the car instead of staying in it (burning fuel and such).
It has to be said that staying in an inverted car would effectively decapitate the driver in those days.

It is stupid to not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, I NEVER get on my bike without my helmet, but it is not the states place (or right IMHO) to force a free citizen to wear one.

I dunno Bill.. I have seen some pretty bad accidents.. where people got banged up pretty bad .. but lived.. and recovered... although that does look very bad.. I wonder of she was driving. That was just horrific. I always wear my seatbelt.

My friends would always stop at the Rte 107 rest stop and take their helmets off. It was about a half mile (or less) from the Massachusetts border and they couldn't wait to live free or die. I never liked the idea of not having a helmet. I didn't use one once or twice, but I felt naked and vulnerable without it. It may have been anecdotal protection but I felt safer. Truthfully, I was more worried about being road-rashed to death.

50's or 60's mate, not 100% sure but mid 60's at the very latest. You can't control a fast (or even a slow) car properly without being belted in.

We don't have to wear helmets in Kansas. And we shouldn't have to either. Liberty. What a concept.

Exactly. You should always wear a helmet but it should be YOUR CHOICE, not the states.

1968: Recommendations on seat harnesses, fire-resistant clothing, shatter-proof visors.

http://www.formula1-dictionary.net/safety_drivers.html

Driving south from Wick to Edinburgh on the stretch of motorway between Perth and the Forth Bridge there is a long slow drag up a hill where near the top I passed a fuel tanker, at the speed it was going it was empty and the fact that the depot was a little south of where we were.

Rolling over the top of the hill, thoughts on the up coming Star Trek convention I was going to, traffic was sparse with one car a long way in front of me and the tanker behind me.

Next thing I notice is a van on the northbound highway going out of control and crossing the central median and smacking into the front of the car in front of me. I start to brake hard from 70mph and then notice in the rear view mirror the tanker barrelling down the hill behind me and it is getting bigger and bigger in the mirror.

With one eye on the rear view I'm watching the two wrecks spin across both highways spreading wreckage all over. The van had lost it's driver's door and I could see the man behind the wheel still strapped in as we passed each other. By that time I was on the hard shoulder at the side of the highway avoiding the wreckage, the tanker managed to stop alongside the wrecks, I stopped at the next motorway phone and called it in as this was the time before mobile phones.
Lucky there were no fatalities and the guy in the van could have been much worse if he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

Good to see you guys supporting Darwinian Selection.

Good to see you guys supporting Darwinian Selection.[/quote]


This post clearly belongs in the Summer's Eve forum.

Good to see you support the rights of the state over the rights of the individual.

People have a right to make their own choices, even stupid ones.

That would be fine if it were not for insurance/healthcare issues.

If you choose not to wear a helmet, you should be prevented from also receiving medical care, being hospitalized, receiving disability, or having life insurance claims paid in case of an accident.

In that case you are forcing others, either via their taxes, higher insurance premiums, or both, to pay for YOUR choice not to wear a helmet.

And as famously stated, your freedom stops where it infringes on mine. And I choose NOT to pay more so an idiot can ride a motorcycle without a helmet.



The Jedi Master

This is a good idea but I fear that it could get out of control. Insurance companies would start looking for other means to deny claims. You made a choice to drive 10mph over the legal speed limit therefore we deny your claim. We think your car stereo was too loud and you might have been distarcted so we eny your claim

It might be better to have much higher premiums for those who don't wear helmets or seatbelts. make an upfront declaration that will (or will not) wear a helmet or use seatbelts and then have your premium adjusted accordingly....just like the upfront declaration that you do or don't have a wood stove in your house.

Insurance companies are always looking for ways to wriggle out of paying claims.

And there are plenty of people always trying to defraud insurance companies with bogus claims. I live in Florida which is the insurance fraud capital of the US so I'm very familiar with the issue.

And which also recently repealed its helmet law, so go figure.




The Jedi Master

Your argument could also be used to make it illegal to: over eat, smoke, drink, engage in dangerous sports, be out in the sun without sunscreen, going outside in the cold without heavy clothing, etc. etc.... where would you draw the line in making people do what you think is in their best interests in order to theoretically save you some medical costs?

The problem is that insurance is privately run but publicly regulated. The gov't allows them to charge more if they have evidence that a given practice increases risk. It's not theoretical, they can demonstrate it. Insurance for smokers already costs more.

It's also in people's best interests to outlaw murder, theft, assault, and many other things. Child labor. Libel, which is a direct contradiction of free speech--if I can say anything, why can't I say a lie? Don't I have the right to call a competitor a lover of sheep, and produce photos doctored of it? It's free speech!

The point is lines ARE drawn, every day, everywhere. Seatbelt use is mandatory, but that's ridiculous on a motorcycle. Helmets are the next best thing. There are speed limits, why aren't those argued against? Most speed limits are ridiculously low, like stretches of I-4 in Orlando which are 5 lanes each way and 35mph! Sure, there's usually so many cars there you're lucky to hit 40, but if it's 2AM on a Sunday why can't I do 60? Why am I not allowed to drive as fast as I want, as drunk as I want? Maybe I kill myself and 20 other people, including a few riding motorcycles that weren't wearing their helmets when I plowed through them, at least I was free to make that choice.



The Jedi Master

Seriously? You’re going to claim that forcing people to wear a helmet is the same as outlawing MURDER?






You’re not even trying to be reasonable, or you’ve just lost it completely if you don’t see the huge difference in these “examples” you’re throwing out here.




The speed YOU drive has a direct impact on the safety of OTHERS. Your choice to wear a helmet or not while riding a motorcycle DOES NOT.


I don’t know how to make it any simpler than that, I can only explain it to you I cannot understand it for you.

However, someone rides without a helmet, wipes out and either is severely injured or killed- and the family sues the owner of the highway or road, that is to say, the taxpayer. That is all of our concern.

And this is why we need serious Tort reform at all levels (municipal, State, Federal).

Yeah, in principle. When it happens to someone where the breadwinner is killed or saddles the family with incredible medical expenses and the burden of taking care of someone for their rest of their lives, then they don't have a problem with going after someone and tort reform isn't their priority anymore. Even if the state prevails, the administrative costs of going to trial and defending the lawsuit is there.

Exactly Panzer.

The point is your definition of impact on others is a matter of perspective. Just because one activity could result in a direct death and the other does not is a matter of degree.

Fine, I'll boil it down to one thing: theft. Increased rates of injury or death as a result of not wearing a helmet forces others to pay more for the benefit of the one who refuses to wear a helmet. So, in effect, they are stealing from them because they're being a little whiny baby.

And seriously, that's the only reason against wearing a helmet: "whaaa, it's not comfortable." Well, then don't ride a motorcycle, take a bus or a cab or drive a car. If you insist on riding one, then wear a simple damn helmet. There's no right to drive, it's a privilege. You have to pay for the license, you have to pay for the registration, and you have to pay in the rules you have to follow.

I don't want ONE PENNY of my money going to some mid-life crisis idiot getting injured who doesn't think they should have to wear a helmet. Not my tax money, not my insurance premiums. Period.



The Jedi Master

Again what if someone smokes and over eats and dies of obesity/cancer after years of infirmity and hospitalization which then "saddles the family with incredible medical expenses and the burden of taking care of someone for their rest of their lives" does than mean we outlaw over eating and smoking???


The ease with which some people will impose upon others personal freedom is scary. It explains a lot about why history is full of totalitarian governments.

Well, the government has taken steps to regulate foods and smoking- truth be told, those industries supply the economy with revenue. So the unhealthiest foods are available, smoking is relatively legal. Not riding with a helmet doesn't do anything like that. The anti-helmet law lobby doesn't have an industry which makes anyone any money. The only positive benefit is someone's vanity, but no money to offset the negatives. It's cynical, but there we are.

back to the original post: the amount of centrifugal force looks unbelievable. I wonder if she was alive or conscious while flying through the air?

Depends how she ejected- I can't see somehow threading and fitting through an open door window like that, unless a small child. She might have been forcefully squeezed through it, or forced through glass.