I’m now in my 57th year of driving, and have been wearing seat belts for every one of these years.
Back in my earlier days not everyone agreed that seat belts saved lives. Some people choose not to wear them as a display of bravado, or because they think they will never have a crash, or perhaps they are simply simple minded.
Then there are those who do wear a belt, but have it under their arm instead of over their shoulder. Or do up the belt but sit on top of it – I promise that I’m not making this up.
Back then some people still seriously argued against the use of safety belts. Some reasons are bizarre, but I swear this is what they were saying: ?You’re better to be thrown clear of the car during the crash? Yeah, that’s right, thrown under the wheels of a truck coming the other way, or maybe head first into a tree.
Another anti-safety belt was couched in the form of a question, “What happens if the car catches fire?”
Simple. Take off the safety belt and run like hell – grateful that you aren’t jammed underneath the dashboard with the steering wheel against your chest with the fire melting your skin.
Today most people automatically put on their seat belts as soon as they get in the car. But look at crash reports and you will often see that no belt was being worn. When will they ever learn?
Of course, it can be argued that if you can avoid all incidents on the road then there’s no need to wear safety belts in the first place ? but that will never, ever happen.
So please in these troubled times drive to survive. Not to avoid fines, but because it’s the sensible thing to do.
ewan@marquenews.com.au
