Wearing your seat belt is something that has been instilled in most of us since we were children. I can still remember my mother and father consciously saying to me when I was leaving our house Don't forget to put on your seat belt! Even now at the age of 20 my parents still drill into my head the constant reminder of not forgetting to buckle up.
I agree that children, under the age of 18, should have to wear their seat belts, but not adults. I think that a few decades ago, a lot of people were not aware of the risks of not wearing your seat belt. But now, I would have to say that everyone knows the dangers of not buckling up. The first thing people ask when there is a car accident is Were they wearing their seat belt? Any competent adult is aware of the risks and dangers of not using their seat belt, and I feel that it should be a personal choice. It's a known fact that seat belts make you safer, and I've never heard of much reason not to use one besides just plain forgetting. But when should we draw the line on how involved the government should be in our lives? I mean is it really the government's business if we do something that might hurt ourselves.The government has given us the right at 18 to buy cigarettes, chewing tobacco and even purchase a gun. If I am not mistaken, all of these things are just as equally if not more harmful to the average individual.
Personally, I usually or at least try to always wear my seat belt. To me they make me feel a bit safer, and I would always want my loved one to wear them as well. Knowing that if I do get into an accident, and my chances of survival are significantly better gives me enough incentive to buckle up. Other automobile laws I can understand, like speeding or running a stop sign, these things endanger other people's lives. But a seat belt, how could this truly hurt anyone else? The only person I could really harm from not buckling up is myself. Therefore, I don't think I should be forced by anyone to wear one.
My point is not to say seat belts should not be worn. It has been statistically proven that seat belts do save lives. But why should our elected government be able to dictate issues such as personal decisions? Does our government believe that the general public is a bunch of morons who can't make decisions for themselves?
I love my country and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but I think there is something that needs to be said when our government is trying to instill moral standards for us. How far is the government willing to get involved with our personal lives?
Sara Anderson, Ohio University junior, Organizational Communication Major
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Sara Anderson
