Do you think seat belts save lives?

[jims69camaro]

well, like the question states, do you think they save lives? i should probably make two polls, one for today's cars and one for classic cars. but, i think, since we probably own both (k, most of us do) then it should include our experiences in both types of cars.

looking at the photos of the dead Judge makes me want to put a roll cage in the '69. now, that would save a life.

[BigRocsFirebird]

i think yes deppending on the crash. where you get hit or what you hit and how you hit it. it could save your life.

[Miles]

It depends. If you are wearing a seatbelt and your car gets jammed in between something and goes up in flames, and the seatbelt gets stuck, then you can't get out. You might be in a little bit of a situation.
But at the same time, if you roll over or something like that, then the seatbelt can save you from tossing around inside or possibly outside the car.

From helping my father with the tow trucking business, and other tow truck drivers themselves, can tell you that they have seen both sides of this questions numerous times.

[mc73nova]

I think it depends on the situation.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

[LTb1ow]

Def like my seatbelt, feel un secure without it. Guess that is what you get for a lifetime of being told to wear one.

However, getting stuck in a car on fire due to a tied up belt is a reason I carry a knife. But going through the windshield is no good.

[WildBillyT]

Jim,

I think your poll may be better written as "Do more good than harm"... whaddya think? Want me to change it?

I figure they save and kill, but more good than bad.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by ShowSomePromise

Def like my seatbelt, feel un secure without it. Guess that is what you get for a lifetime of being told to wear one.

However, getting stuck in a car on fire due to a tied up belt is a reason I carry a knife. But going through the windshield is no good.

Very true about the knife. More people should do it, but it will probably be used in the wrong way at somepoint.

[LTb1ow]

Off topic but yea... again, always prepared been driven into my head too... LOL

[Saitin]

seats belts are situational and that is it, IMO they do just as much good as they do bad....

[LTb1ow]

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811036.PDF

Pretty convincing...

[12secondv6]

I've been in the fire dept for 14 years
Countless training classes at various fire academies (nj, ny, pa etc)
Pursued a degree in fire science
Seen tons of car accidents
Been involved in many extrications
And been in two recent nasty car accidents

I have yet to see a situation where the seat belt caused the person to die.

I have yet to see a car explode/ burst into flames like in the movies.

Every instance I have seen where the occupants have not worn seat belts have always been hurt bad..... or died. I've seen people ejected from cars.

For me, I will ALWAYS wear a seat belt and anyone who gets in a car with me must wear a belt (I realize that someone is going to crack a joke about getting in a car w/ me etc)

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by Saitin

seats belts are situational and that is it, IMO they do just as much good as they do bad....

No WAY is it a 50/50 proportion.

[Saitin]

Maybe not 50/50 but I bet it is up there.

I've seen wrecks where people have died from getting a arm/leg/head caught in the belt or just have the belt malfunction and hold tight, most of those are from fires,cars in water, or side impacts.
seat belts help in smaller accidents sure but alot of fender benders most people would walk away from with minimal injuries anyways

[LTb1ow]

So your saying that until there is a perfect safety restraint system, all other systems should be deemed too dangerous to use?

[BurninrubberGT]

ive never heard of a seat belt doing harm, and you hear all the time about people dieing in accidents because they didnt wear it, or only survived because they wore their seatbelt

my buddy was tboned at ~60mph on his side last year....there was no way he would have lived if he didnt have his belt on

[LTb1ow]

Well a seatbelt focus the momentum of your body into pretty small areas across your chest and abdomen, I can see how people could sustain pretty nasty injures from sudden impacts. However, you can have broken bones etc fixed, broken bodies/skulls are tough...

[Saitin]

Originally Posted by ShowSomePromise

So your saying that until there is a perfect safety restraint system, all other systems should be deemed too dangerous to use?

Never said that, just saying in cases they do kill, just a lot more then you here about on the news.
I put mine on every time I get in a car no matter if I am driving or not.
all it is is a precaution it might help it might not.

[LTb1ow]

I agree, but their benefits far exceed their downfalls... IMO of course.

[Miles]

Okay well once you get out of that seatbelt, you need to open the door. How about those automatic locks?

[LTb1ow]

Hammer to window. Der.

[baddest434]

i think seat belts save more lives, then cause deaths. i wear it as does anyone who rides with me.

wearing a 5 point harness makes me feel even more safer.

[Miles]

Well i dunno about you, i dont carry a hammer in my car

[LTb1ow]

You should. I always have random tools in my car...

[BonzoHansen]

The overwhelming statistics is they do save lives. It's a no brainer. If the argument is the seat belt hurts, my guess is it hurts less than the dashboard/windshield/steering wheel.

Anyone who argues otherwise is pissing in the wind and is only really crying about it being law instead of personal choice. And is in fact the reason the law exists.

Now, if you want to talk about lap bets and such in old cars, no I hate them. My Camaros will get F&R 3 points.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by baddest434

i think seat belts save more lives, then cause deaths. i wear it as does anyone who rides with me.