Comments on: T-shirt for drivers who don't like to wear seat bealts http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 06:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: zaba http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1682366 zaba Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1682366 this. +1. agreed. me too. whatever the new lingo is. I can't agree anymore with this statement. Of the handful of people I would trust with my life in an emergency situation, one of them is a guy who has decades of experience as a police officer, fireman and EMS. One of his experiences actually ended up on Rescue 911 back in the day. Without disclosing any more information, I can tell you that I heard him tell a driver once, "you don't have to wear a seatbelt. But, in 30 years, I have never pulled a dead guy out of a seatbelt." I had to wear one to get my first driver's license (~1992) and it was mandatory well before then, so I have been in the habit for a long time. Now, if I don't have one on, I feel almost naked. Seatbelts have also saved me from catastrophic injury or death a couple times, if we want to play the anecdotal data game.  this. +1. agreed. me too. whatever the new lingo is. I can’t agree anymore with this statement.

Of the handful of people I would trust with my life in an emergency situation, one of them is a guy who has decades of experience as a police officer, fireman and EMS. One of his experiences actually ended up on Rescue 911 back in the day.

Without disclosing any more information, I can tell you that I heard him tell a driver once, “you don’t have to wear a seatbelt. But, in 30 years, I have never pulled a dead guy out of a seatbelt.”

I had to wear one to get my first driver’s license (~1992) and it was mandatory well before then, so I have been in the habit for a long time. Now, if I don’t have one on, I feel almost naked.

Seatbelts have also saved me from catastrophic injury or death a couple times, if we want to play the anecdotal data game. 

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681928 Itsumishi Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681928 Yes, show us this data. It certainly isn't represented in Australia <a href="http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/1985/pdf/Belt_Analysis_4.pdf" rel="nofollow">where the road toll dropped dramatically over the years following seatbelt laws</a>. Yes, show us this data. It certainly isn’t represented in Australia where the road toll dropped dramatically over the years following seatbelt laws.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681927 Itsumishi Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681927 Alternatively try googling: misinformation; or 'dumb excuses idiots will make to get out of making sensible informed decisions'. Alternatively try googling: misinformation; or ‘dumb excuses idiots will make to get out of making sensible informed decisions’.

]]> By: Jasper Huxley http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681535 Jasper Huxley Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681535 The ol' Cutlass lap dance? The ol’ Cutlass lap dance?

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681343 marilove Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681343 Do you think there is only one person on the road at a or something?  What do you think happens when someone loses control of a vehicle because they weren't wearing a seat-belt? What about when they fly out of a window? There are other cars on the road, aren't there?  Both their body and the car they no longer have any chance at all to control will hit other cars and kill other people. Why does no one ever consider this when this discussion comes up? Seriously?! Do you think there is only one person on the road at a or something?  What do you think happens when someone loses control of a vehicle because they weren’t wearing a seat-belt? What about when they fly out of a window? There are other cars on the road, aren’t there?  Both their body and the car they no longer have any chance at all to control will hit other cars and kill other people.

Why does no one ever consider this when this discussion comes up? Seriously?!

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681334 marilove Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681334 Yeah, sometimes safety gear doesn't work correctly or works against you, but STATISTICALLY, you're far, far, far, far, far, FAR FAR FAR more likely to die without a seat belt. Your experience is, essentially, a fluke.  I'm glad you survived.  But that is not in any way proof that not wearing a seat belt isn't dumb. Question?  What happens when you (general you) flies out of a window because you weren't wearing a seat-belt? You will probably hit other cars and other people and case far more damage than you might have otherwise. And it seems to me that if you are held in place with a seatbelt, you have a far more likely chance to stay in control and avoid getting yourself <b>and others</b> killed -- not flying through the window would probably help your chances  don't you think? <b>The seat-belt argument is not just about the person wearing the seat-belt. This point always seems to get lost in the conversation.  <i>You are not the only fucking car on the road.</i>  This kind of attitude is generally what causes accidents in the first place.</b>I don't care if you don't want to wear a seat belt. It's not just about you, buddy.  If you can't accept that, then sell your car.  Oh, and one last question: What if someone had been sitting in that passenger seat? Yeah, sometimes safety gear doesn’t work correctly or works against you, but STATISTICALLY, you’re far, far, far, far, far, FAR FAR FAR more likely to die without a seat belt.

Your experience is, essentially, a fluke.  I’m glad you survived.  But that is not in any way proof that not wearing a seat belt isn’t dumb.

Question?  What happens when you (general you) flies out of a window because you weren’t wearing a seat-belt?

You will probably hit other cars and other people and case far more damage than you might have otherwise.

And it seems to me that if you are held in place with a seatbelt, you have a far more likely chance to stay in control and avoid getting yourself and others killed — not flying through the window would probably help your chances  don’t you think?

The seat-belt argument is not just about the person wearing the seat-belt. This point always seems to get lost in the conversation.  You are not the only fucking car on the road.  This kind of attitude is generally what causes accidents in the first place.I don’t care if you don’t want to wear a seat belt. It’s not just about you, buddy.  If you can’t accept that, then sell your car. 

Oh, and one last question: What if someone had been sitting in that passenger seat?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681288 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681288 <blockquote>What I am saying is that by wearing a seat belt the average driver feels safer and so drives more recklessly endangering more vulnerable road users.</blockquote>Tired, absurd, unsupported argument. Why don't you prove it?

What I am saying is that by wearing a seat belt the average driver feels safer and so drives more recklessly endangering more vulnerable road users.

Tired, absurd, unsupported argument. Why don’t you prove it?

]]> By: misterjuju http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681217 misterjuju Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681217 clicked "like" unintentionally. But what I came to say is that 1980's vehicle safety devices =/= modern safety devices. I am very glad you are ok, but this 30+ year-old anecdote cannot be compared to today's safety standards. i.e. 1980's seat belts may have killed ya, but seat belts changed for the better in cars even just 5 or 10 years older...so unless you are still driving a 30-year-old car, you are MUCH SAFER WEARING A SEAT BELT!! clicked “like” unintentionally. But what I came to say is that 1980′s vehicle safety devices =/= modern safety devices. I am very glad you are ok, but this 30+ year-old anecdote cannot be compared to today’s safety standards.
i.e. 1980′s seat belts may have killed ya, but seat belts changed for the better in cars even just 5 or 10 years older…so unless you are still driving a 30-year-old car, you are MUCH SAFER WEARING A SEAT BELT!!

]]> By: Quibbler http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681129 Quibbler Sat, 16 Mar 2013 12:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681129  I'm not trolling. There is no doubt that if you are involved in an accident your chances of survival are greatly increased by wearing a seat belt.  What I am saying is that by wearing a seat belt the average driver feels safer and so drives more recklessly endangering more vulnerable road users. You just need to look at the data for the UK before and after seat belt legislation. The decrease in front seat fatalities is almost completely wiped out by the increase in fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists.  I’m not trolling. There is no doubt that if you are involved in an accident your chances of survival are greatly increased by wearing a seat belt.

 What I am saying is that by wearing a seat belt the average driver feels safer and so drives more recklessly endangering more vulnerable road users. You just need to look at the data for the UK before and after seat belt legislation. The decrease in front seat fatalities is almost completely wiped out by the increase in fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists.

]]> By: Grahamers2002 http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681110 Grahamers2002 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681110 I suggest you also consider the potential cost to you, individually. If you make a mistake while driving and cause a crash and some of the people who crash suffer tremendous medical bill *because* (causation is key, assume MDs testify to what medical cost would have been averted by seat belts) then, depending on which jurisdiction you crashed in, you may have to pay for the treatment of the injuries that would have been avoided had the others had seat belts. While there are good arguments either way, the combination of 1) saving lives, 2) avoiding children of idiots being raised to believe that seat belts are useless "'cuz Dad never wore 'em", and 3) the above, tip the scales for me. I suggest you also consider the potential cost to you, individually. If you make a mistake while driving and cause a crash and some of the people who crash suffer tremendous medical bill *because* (causation is key, assume MDs testify to what medical cost would have been averted by seat belts) then, depending on which jurisdiction you crashed in, you may have to pay for the treatment of the injuries that would have been avoided had the others had seat belts.

While there are good arguments either way, the combination of 1) saving lives, 2) avoiding children of idiots being raised to believe that seat belts are useless “‘cuz Dad never wore ‘em”, and 3) the above, tip the scales for me.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681061 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681061 Your anecdote flies in the face of millions of legitimate data points. Your anecdote flies in the face of millions of legitimate data points.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681060 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681060 Moustache ride? Moustache ride?

]]> By: Jaan http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681044 Jaan Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681044 I knew this would degenerate into "not wearing a seatbelt is dumb" territory.  Take a good look at this picture, I was 19 years old and a guy drove through a stop sign at about 50 mph.  I was driving a 1980 cutlass, he was driving a 1981 Cutlass (same bumper height).  He skidded a little and the corner of the car hit first, right where my hip was (crushed the cigarettes in my jacket pocket).  The roof and floor anchor points were not moved.  IF I had been wearing a seatbelt, my waist would have been crushed to about 8 inches.  As it happened, I was just thrown into the passenger seat, hard enough that my eyeglasses went flying out the side window. I knew this would degenerate into “not wearing a seatbelt is dumb” territory.  Take a good look at this picture, I was 19 years old and a guy drove through a stop sign at about 50 mph.  I was driving a 1980 cutlass, he was driving a 1981 Cutlass (same bumper height).  He skidded a little and the corner of the car hit first, right where my hip was (crushed the cigarettes in my jacket pocket).  The roof and floor anchor points were not moved.  IF I had been wearing a seatbelt, my waist would have been crushed to about 8 inches.  As it happened, I was just thrown into the passenger seat, hard enough that my eyeglasses went flying out the side window.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1681042 awjt Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1681042  Why would anybody wear a seatbelt in a hospital?  Why would anybody wear a seatbelt in a hospital?

]]> By: David Aked http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680998 David Aked Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680998 IF someone feels they NEED to wear this, can we also replace their airbag with a balloon?  If nothing else, it would sound awesome in an accident. *SCCREEEEE* *CRUNCH* *POP* *ARGH!* IF someone feels they NEED to wear this, can we also replace their airbag with a balloon?  If nothing else, it would sound awesome in an accident.
*SCCREEEEE* *CRUNCH* *POP* *ARGH!*

]]> By: Jonathan Roberts http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680976 Jonathan Roberts Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680976 I've seen these before. I'm pretty sure some car makers actually produce them too, as I've seen some matching the actual seatbelts. Maybe they market it as a spare or something. Putting your seatbelt on in a taxi in China is often considered to be kind of insulting, like you're questioning the driver's ability. I usually brush it off by getting them to agree that there are a lot of OTHER people on the road who are crazy, so putting a seatbelt on doesn't necessarily entail criticism of the driver him/herself I’ve seen these before. I’m pretty sure some car makers actually produce them too, as I’ve seen some matching the actual seatbelts. Maybe they market it as a spare or something. Putting your seatbelt on in a taxi in China is often considered to be kind of insulting, like you’re questioning the driver’s ability. I usually brush it off by getting them to agree that there are a lot of OTHER people on the road who are crazy, so putting a seatbelt on doesn’t necessarily entail criticism of the driver him/herself

]]> By: Heevee Lister http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680897 Heevee Lister Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680897 You can also protect your passengers and people in other cars by wearing a seat belt.  Seat belts don't just protect you in an accident, they can help you avoid one.  It's a lot harder to steer a car that's in a skid when you're no longer in your seat, and that's what a truly violent skid can do to you. You can also protect your passengers and people in other cars by wearing a seat belt.  Seat belts don’t just protect you in an accident, they can help you avoid one.  It’s a lot harder to steer a car that’s in a skid when you’re no longer in your seat, and that’s what a truly violent skid can do to you.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680890 SomeGuyNamedMark Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680890  I'll show them!  Right after I scoop my brains off the road.  I’ll show them!  Right after I scoop my brains off the road.

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680837 ocker3 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680837 I would laugh, except that I might cry. The car I was sitting in the front seat of almost went under a truck when I was a child, without my belt I would have gone right through that windshield. Perhaps that explains my later habit of putting on a belt as soon as I got into the car, even if I went to read to get away from my brothers.  So yeah, I'm alive/without brain damage/huge facial scars because my Mother was responsible and made us all wear our seat belts, all the time I would laugh, except that I might cry. The car I was sitting in the front seat of almost went under a truck when I was a child, without my belt I would have gone right through that windshield. Perhaps that explains my later habit of putting on a belt as soon as I got into the car, even if I went to read to get away from my brothers. 

So yeah, I’m alive/without brain damage/huge facial scars because my Mother was responsible and made us all wear our seat belts, all the time

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680833 ocker3 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680833 Macho, Macho, Macho Man, I've Got to Be, a Macho Man Macho, Macho, Macho Man, I’ve Got to Be, a Macho Man

]]> By: Improbus Liber http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680824 Improbus Liber Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680824 If you don't wear a seat belt you are just stupid and you deserve what you have coming to you. If you don’t wear a seat belt you are just stupid and you deserve what you have coming to you.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680801 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680801 Tattoo removal device. Tattoo removal device.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680794 Boundegar Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680794 People are still complaining about seatbelt laws?  I haven't heard that one since like the 1980's.  Are you sure you're not all just trolling? People are still complaining about seatbelt laws?  I haven’t heard that one since like the 1980′s.  Are you sure you’re not all just trolling?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680777 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680777 Sounds like you want a motorcycle. Sounds like you want a motorcycle.

]]> By: cjearner http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680763 cjearner Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680763 FWIW: A fireman once told me he'd never had to cut a dead guy out of a seatbelt. FWIW: A fireman once told me he’d never had to cut a dead guy out of a seatbelt.

]]> By: Quibbler http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680722 Quibbler Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680722 I thought somebody would have posted this already, but there is little evidence that seat beats reduce accident fatalities. Try a search for "risk compensation". I thought somebody would have posted this already, but there is little evidence that seat beats reduce accident fatalities. Try a search for “risk compensation”.

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680702 timquinn Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680702 These days, when I really need an adrenaline burst I drive around without my seatbelt on. Risky, I know, but what a rush! These days, when I really need an adrenaline burst I drive around without my seatbelt on. Risky, I know, but what a rush!

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680697 timquinn Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680697 as does the laser tattoo removal device that works while you drive, shirtless, to the hair stylist, to freshen up your helmet hair. as does the laser tattoo removal device that works while you drive, shirtless, to the hair stylist, to freshen up your helmet hair.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680688 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680688 Not really sure why my car feels the need to beep continuously without cease when I'm parked in it and take my seat belt off. Not really sure why my car feels the need to beep continuously without cease when I’m parked in it and take my seat belt off.

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2013/03/15/t-shirt-for-drivers-who-dont.html#comment-1680686 timquinn Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=219086#comment-1680686 I suspect you were fed that story in an attempt to measure your gullibility. It is an old gypsy trick. I suspect you were fed that story in an attempt to measure your gullibility. It is an old gypsy trick.

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