Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 11/08/85; site unccvax.unccvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!petrus!bellcore!decvax!mcnc!unccvax!dsi
From: dsi@unccvax.UUCP (Dataspan Inc)
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.auto
Subject: Re: Massachusetts seat belt law
Message-ID: <405@unccvax.unccvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 19-Dec-85 08:23:47 EST
Article-I.D.: unccvax.405
Posted: Thu Dec 19 08:23:47 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Dec-85 05:12:53 EST
References: <294@frog.UUCP> <408@gcc-milo.ARPA> <272@encore.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: UNC-Charlotte
Lines: 37
Xref: watmath net.politics:12599 net.auto:8859

> The attitude in the U.S. generally, and in net.auto-land in particular,
> towards reasonable highway safety measures, is rather bizzare.
> 
> Many of the arguments against airbags were originally used
> against seatbelts.  I would expect that airbags to be much
> more acceptable to the live-free-or-die crowd, given that they work
> automatically and do not require police enforcement.  However, true

     Airbags are a useful adjunct to seatbelts IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.
Airbags perform absolutely no useful purpose whatsoever in the other 99 %
of the time we spend in the car performing normal motoring behaviour.

     I really don't know quite how seatbelts got to be a poltical issue.
They are an integral part of the safety equipment in the vehicle, just
like dual circuit brakes, safety rims, and all those other innovations.
Seat belts keep your butt planted in the seat when the time comes to avoid
a situation.  It is much more difficult to control the car when you are
sliding down a full foam bench seat. Most people have not had skidpad
training and have no idea whatsoever of what to expect when they have
to avoid an accident, or at least minimize their injuries.
     The real key to this whole thing is to depoliticize the issue. Wearing
one's belts or equipping cars with airbags is almost purely an engineering
consideration.  Belts improve vehicle control in demanding situations
by keeping the driver in his appointed place.  Airbags do not.  Instead
of worrying about what happens from T=0- of a wreck, why not try to avoid
getting there in the first place?

     Now, if we could only get cars that exhibit proper handling and braking
(i.e. the best engineering we can muster) we'd watch the accident rate 
drop further.

     Frankly, I'd like to see the 55 mph speed limit go away, too. However,
I might not be comfortable sharing the Interstate with a guy in a 73 Impala
with no shocks and Air-Float Supremes on the rims...

David Anthony
DataSpan, Inc