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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!kobold!tjt
From: tjt@kobold.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: mandatory seatbelt laws
Message-ID: <260@kobold.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-Jan-84 08:37:02 EST
Article-I.D.: kobold.260
Posted: Wed Jan 25 08:37:02 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jan-84 09:18:40 EST
References: <895@uw-june>
Organization: Masscomp, Westford, MA
Lines: 20

Kirk Glerum (uw-june!kirkg) says:

	In a free country, like this one, I should be able to go out
	and risk my life by doing such incredibly stupid things like
	driving my car without using my seat belt, or riding my
	motorcycle without my helmet.  If I succeed in killing myself,
	so be it.  It is none of your business to try to protect me
	from my own stupidity.

The problem is people are *not* willing to bear the responsibility of
their own stupidity:  If you collide with me and are injured, and were
not wearing a seatbelt or were not wearing a helmet, I may still be
liable for your injuries, regardless of whether or not your
recklessness contributed to the extent of those injuries.  Having
insurance pay for the damages doesn't help since you don't have to pay
higher insurance premiums for the "privilege" of risking your life this
way.
-- 
	Tom Teixeira,  Massachusetts Computer Corporation.  Westford MA
	...!{ihnp4,harpo,decvax}!masscomp!tjt   (617) 692-6200 x275