by Greg Lonnqvist

Created on: October 14, 2009

Many people writing about this topic will point out the statistics regarding seat belt use. Those for the enforcement will detail information regarding lives saved by seat belts while those in opposition may point to information regarding ways in which seat belts can actually harm you in an accident. My interest in this topic has nothing to do with either side of the issue of safety. I personally believe that seat belts help save lives and it is a good practice to use them all the time. However, that opinion does not have anything to do with my answer to the question posed.

Passing and enforcing a law that requires people to wear seat belts is quite simply irresponsible, unnecessary law that is indicative of the ridiculous turn that our lawmakers have taken recently. The role of government when it comes to passing new laws is NOT to prevent people from doing things that might be dangerous to themselves. The United States was founded on the principle of personal freedom and liberty; the right for one to choose for themselves what they will or will not do. Laws are meant to be in place to protect individuals from other individuals and from the government; to ensure that personal freedom and liberty remain. However, in recent years the government has taken it upon themselves to decide that we the people are incapable of handling this responsibility of making our own decisions. They feel that it is not only the government's right, but their purpose to pass legislation that will remove thought and accountability of the individual.

Looking beyond this premise that the government is overstepping their bounds by passing such laws, there is also a great deal of hypocrisy in requiring seat belt use. It cannot be argued that my wearing a seat belt helps to keep other individuals safe. Therefore, the only argument that can be made for such a law is that its intent is to keep me safe in my own automobile. If that's the case, where do the laws end? As things stand right now, I can eat my lunch while driving. Is that not more dangerous to my safety (and to other's safety) than not wearing my seat belt? There are no laws (nor should there be) preventing someone from doing anything from eating to putting on makeup to reading while driving. Yet, we are going to make seat belts a legal requirement?

I can see no legitimate reason for having any laws relative to seat belt use; nor can I justify in any way how such a law is not anti-Constitutional. The United States used to stand for independence and personal accountability. It now seems that our legislators are more interested in passing laws for the sake of passing laws.

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