Seat belt ticket: how does it impact insurance (and what are Henderson judges like) (Asheville: attorney, legal)

[melbern]

This may be an obscure way to look at it, but imagine if you caused an accident which led to the death of someone who normally would have been saved if they had been wearing a seat belt. It puts an additional burden on you financially and emotionally. You are clearly someone who is about the gov't staying out of our lives, which I have GREAT sympathy with! But seat belt laws do keep everyone safer, and when legitimate accidents happen, there is will be far less of a negative affect on all parties as the result of their use. Particularly with the insane way our courts deal with liability issues!

[itsajourney]

I feel I must put my 2 cents worth in because I believe that we do an injustice to people when we lead them to believe that wearing a seat belt will save them from dying in an automobile accident.

THE TRUTH IS THAT PEOPLE WHO WEAR SEATBELTS DO DIE AS A RESULT OF AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS.

Now, DO NOT misunderstand and misinterpret this statement. I am 100% in favor of ALWAYS wearing your seatbelt when in an automobile. The facts and statistics clearly indicate that seatbelts do save lives and usually result in less traumatic injuries...but, THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE SPARED BECAUSE YOU ARE WEARING ONE.

This I know for a fact--as my brother was killed instantly in an auto accident. He was wearing his seatbelt and the airbags also deployed. Still, he died instantly.

I grew up in Illinois and the State Police used to have a commercial in which a state trooper said, "I've never unbuckled a dead man." Does the commercial get your attention and does it make a point? Yes. Is it a true statement of fact for all troopers?..NO.

It is wrong to give people the impression that just because you are wearing a seat belt, your life will be spared from death.

Do the people who create these messages stop to think about how some ignorant, inexperienced drivers may interpret that representation?????? Some drivers will think that its ok to speed, drive wrecklessly, throw caution and common sense out the window, and who knows what else----Their mentality will be--ok...I'll just put my seatbelt on and everything will be ok. YOUR SEATBELT DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR LIFE WILL BE SPARED, BUT IT GREATLY INCREASES YOUR ODDS OF SURVIVING AN ACCIDENT.

A seatbelt is not a cure-all for poor judgement.

[melbern]

I wouldn't even begin to think that it would always save a life, but in many situations it does.

[joey2000]

If you'll notice, I wasn't interested in a seat belt wearing debate or soapboxing.

If anyone is able and willing to actually answer the questions, I'd appreciate it.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by ReluctantGardenStater

unless I'm situated in the rear of the car, in which case I rarely do.

People in the back seat are part of the collision also, and the people in the front would really appreciate your body be it 100 pounds or 300 pounds slamming into them at 20 or 30 MPH because they have stopped and you haven't. If you were to ride in my back seat, you would buckle up, for MY protection from a loose body slamming around inside the vehicle I happen to be in. It's not just you, it is everyone in the car you endanger.

Roll overs are also equal opportunity ejectors, and you stand an equal chance of landing under the car as a front seat passenger.

[Asheville Native]

Penalties
Drivers and Front Seat Occupants Ages 16 and Older
» Penalty of $25.50
» $100.50 court costs
» No driver license or insurance points are assessed.

Pay the fine, learn a lesson and move on, and while you are at it, BUCKLE UP, it just might save your life.

[melbern]

Originally Posted by joey2000

If you'll notice, I wasn't interested in a seat belt wearing debate or soapboxing.

If anyone is able and willing to actually answer the questions, I'd appreciate it.

Gee sorry, maybe you should have just looked it up online rather than posting it on a public discussion forum.

[justthe6ofus]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

People in the back seat are part of the collision also, and the people in the front would really appreciate your body be it 100 pounds or 300 pounds slamming into them at 20 or 30 MPH because they have stopped and you haven't. If you were to ride in my back seat, you would buckle up, for MY protection from a loose body slamming around inside the vehicle I happen to be in. It's not just you, it is everyone in the car you endanger.

Roll overs are also equal opportunity ejectors, and you stand an equal chance of landing under the car as a front seat passenger.

Totally agree with this statement! Anyone who rides in my car WILL wear their seatbelt for MY protection. If not, they are always free to drive their own car.

I never did understand the logic of not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat. Without a seatbelt, you become a marble in a coffee-can when the vehicle is struck, no matter what seat you are riding in.

[joey2000]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

Penalties
Drivers and Front Seat Occupants Ages 16 and Older
» Penalty of $25.50
» $100.50 court costs
» No driver license or insurance points are assessed.

Thanks -

Originally Posted by melbern

Gee sorry, maybe you should have just looked it up online rather than posting it on a public discussion forum.

Yeah silly me, I thought this would be quicker, learned my lesson

[LRoyal10900]

Originally Posted by justthe6ofus

Totally agree with this statement! Anyone who rides in my car WILL wear their seatbelt for MY protection. If not, they are always free to drive their own car.

I never did understand the logic of not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat. Without a seatbelt, you become a marble in a coffee-can when the vehicle is struck, no matter what seat you are riding in.

Actually, ALL passengers are required to belted up, no matter where they're riding in the car!