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At first glance, it seems wearing seat belts would be a personal choice, but when you examine the issue closely, it becomes apparent it is not that simple. First of all, I believe seat belts are a critical part of savings lives and reducing injuries to those involved in auto accidents. Not to mention the pain and suffering the families and friends experience when someone they love and care about is injured or killed. A death or injury that could have been prevented by something as simple as wearing a seat belt.

To those believing it is an individual's right to decide if they should wear a seat belt or not, I disagree. It is not a matter of personal freedom when someone riding in a vehicle decides not to wear his or her seat belt. It places the other passengers at risk as well. In an accident, an unsecured body becomes a lethal weapon. Someone not secured will tend to fly around the interior of a car causing severe trauma to other passengers during an auto accident. I have read a few auto accident police reports that show this to be the case.

Individuals driving alone and not wearing a seat belt can put fellow drivers at risk as well. In an accident or just going over a rough patch of highway, a seat belt helps keep individuals behind the wheel enabling the driver to maintain control. I have seen video footage from a car's interior where the driver was actually thrown into the back seat after going over a rough patch of highway. If the driver would have worn a seat belt, they would have stayed behind the wheel and probably maintained control of the car. In the video, of course, the vehicle crashed but luckily the driver wasn't hurt and no other vehicles were involved. The point is this unbelted driver could have easily struck another vehicle causing damage or injury just because they wore no seat belt.

I have spelled the reasons out. Forcing someone to wear a seat belt does not violate individual rights but protects the rights of others. Protecting those riding together in a vehicle, fellow drivers on the roadway, and sparing the pain and suffering caused by injuries incurred by unbelted vehicle riders.

Learn more about this author, William Hatch.
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