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If I don't wear my seatbelt and I'm fined, does this violate my civil right?

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justalayman

Senior Member
http://nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.cda13865569778598fcb6010dba046a0/

start with this web address. It has some info concerning seatbelt safety. Realize that there are still studies being conducted and they started way back in the '60's when seatbelts were first installed in cars. Although I grabbed "millions" out of the air, I have no doubt it is not inappropriate. Figure 40 years of study (1966-2006, although seatbelt study began before '66 grabbed that for simplicity) . If you consider 2m hours, that's roughly equivelent to 25 people working full time (2000 hrs/year) during that time. I don't believe that is totally unrealistic. Studies have been undertaken by the federal gov't, state gov'ts, most every auto manufacturer, many many colleges and probably many other entities I haven't mentioned.

Since the proliferation of computer aided data cramming, many studies have even been replicated from before with even more accurate predictions of results. These studies have continued to show that the use of seatbelts will indeed reduce injuries and save lives.

and never forget the "crash test dummies" that give their "lives" continually for just such studies.

While I generally enjoy a good debate, I believe I am finished with this one. I have given some direction to which you can educate yourself so that you can understand you positions of failure of prevention are not sustainable.

One thing I do support you on though; fight for your rights, never merely give them up without reason. Many have died to give them origianally and many have died continuing maintaining them.

Just understand where your rights end and others begin. That IS the supreme limitation of your rights.
 


drmoore_01

Junior Member
To everyone. rmet4nzkx is correct. This is not a debate forum. Although I have enjoyed the debate, I didn't start this to start a debate. I simply ask the question, is there a way I can get the courts to decide if the fine associated with this law un-Constitutional? By other sources, I found that the law CAN be opposed in court. These debates are much like the ones I expect to see when/if I take this to court. Thank each of you for your assistance in preparing my arguement.

justalayman: Thanks for the website. As for arguing with the studies that the use of seatbelts will indeed reduce injuries and save lives was not my point. I don't disagree with that. Unless the law directly affects others or is passed in order to help protect others, I just disagree with passing laws forcing people to do what other people want in order to protect one from himself/herself (as long as that person is an adult and of sound mind). If that were not the case, we should force everyone to attend college. Studies show that those who attend college make more money and overall have a better standard of living. Insted of forcing college on people, incentives are given, assistance is offered and people are educated of the facts. To me, that's the proper method that should be used.

I truely believe Congress has good intensions with this law, I just believe in the saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink". At some point, a line is crossed between being a leader and being a dictator. I also believe that the seatbelt law crosses that line.

As for educating myself, I have. That's why I know that there is more to life than a statistic. If all favorable statistics were forced on everyone, we wouldn't be able to have any freedoms at all.

In my final comments, as for, "neither of the 2 other branches of government found seatbelt laws to be un-constitutional." The Legislative brance makes the laws, the Executive enforces the laws, and the Judical branch interprets the laws. The second branch, the Executive branch, doesn't have a say in the law. The only authority they have is to be a good puppy and enforce what they are told to enforce. To my knowledge, the only branch that has expressed an opinion that counts is the Legislative branch. If this law has been contested at the appropriate lever in the Judical system, I'm not aware of it. Please feel free to let me know.
 

CdwJava

Senior Member
Yes, it has been challenged unsuccessfully.

If you Google the respective terms, you will find that numerous cases covering that and related issues.

- Carl
 
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