LETTER: Seat belt use should be a choice, not a law

From Jay Martin
Hutchinson

I got the May 13 Hutchinson Leader and read the piece on seat belts. So — let’s break it down. According to the Leader, the numbers came from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. So let’s assume the numbers are correct. From 2004 to 2006, a three-year period, 1,274 “vehicle occupants were killed in crashes” in Minnesota.

Now of course, if you drive your car into a lake and drown, does it matter if you were wearing a seat belt or not? So these numbers could be off a bit depending on circumstances. But, let’s take it at face value. That means, 658 were not wearing a seat belt and 616 were wearing a seat belt, for a difference of 42 people not wearing a seat belt. The difference is statistically insignificant.

The Department of Public Safety also says “The DPS estimates that around half of those killed would have survived if they were buckled up.” Really? How does anyone know this for certain? How about the ones who were buckled up, would half of them also survived if they were not buckled up?

We just take a saying — Buckle up, it save lives — and repeat it enough times that it becomes truth.

DPS also says, that during the past three years in McLeod County, 11 were killed, with five unbelted and six were belted. Again, a 50/50 gamble, if you live or die.

Now, will a seat belt save your life in a crash? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on the circumstances, which you have no control over. If it makes you feel better wearing one, go ahead and wear it. This is something that should be a personal choice and not a law. It is just a moneymaker for the state.
For me, life is a gamble anyway you look at it and I’ll take my chances.