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As the forefathers of this nation plainly stated, we are entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". We, as citizens of the United States of the America, can choose how we want to live our lives - and that includes making our own choice on whether or not to wear seat belts.

Here is where this situation gets tricky. Do mandatory seat belt laws violate individual rights? Absolutely. Let the people choose. Do I believe that driving or riding while not wearing a seat belt is safe? Absolutely not. No reason to risk it.

A person driving down the highway with his family should not have to get each of his passengers strapped into a seat belt. It is my hope that he will care enough about each one of them that he will want to do it anyway.

This issue is similar to the smoking debate - with one significant difference. Is there a law against smoking? No. Citizens have the right to decide if they want to put that stuff in their bodies. However, if someone smokes in public, there is a chance that others could be harmed by second-hand smoke. That's why it is being regulated through smoke-free restaurants, stores, etc.

When it comes to using seat belts, if a person wants to take the chance of flying through the windshield or completely out of a vehicle when an accident occurs, that is up to him. However, a person wearing a seat belt would not be ejected and possibly crushed by an overturning vehicle.

The individuals who like to argue that "You can't tell me what to do!" have a case here. They should not be forced to wear something that may be uncomfortable them. Besides, the fact that a driver is not wearing a seat belt does not directly affect the safety of people in other vehicles.

However, after driving and riding for more than two decades, I believe the people who prefer to go "strapless" are taking a huge risk. As a newspaper reporter and reader, I have come across a disturbing number of cases where passengers (often teenagers) get slammed into a windshield or thrown through it entirely when a simple click would have kept them in their seat. That is all the evidence I need to make my decision.

While there is no guarantee that someone wearing a seat belt would avoid injuries in an accident, it is important to point out a memorable comment I heard once from a police officer: "I have never unbuckled a dead body."

A person would have a hard time convincing me that there is someone in this world whose life is not worth more than the $10 fine for driving without a seat belt. It's not like putting one on takes a lot of time, either. Those who insist on doing things their way can continue driving "strapless". It is their right. Here's hoping their independence doesn't come with a high price tag.

Learn more about this author, Ryan Gray.
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