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Author	Topic: Do New Hampshire drivers have a death wish?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 10:46:19 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse What makes us use seat belts is not a complicated thing to understand. It's self-preservation; simple logic and an understanding of physics. When we live long enough, we see things happen on roads that we don't want to happen to us. And if that's not enough of an incentive, some are persuaded to buckle up in order to avoid tickets and higher insurance. Why then do you suppose that seat belt usage across the U.S. can vary so greatly from the state where usage is highest, Hawaii, (97.6%) to the state where it is lowest, New Hampshire,(72.2%)? Let's take a look at the states where drivers seem to be very conscientious about their own safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's report... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 10:46:19 AM

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What makes us use seat belts is not a complicated thing to understand. It's self-preservation; simple logic and an understanding of physics.

When we live long enough, we see things happen on roads that we don't want to happen to us. And if that's not enough of an incentive, some are persuaded to buckle up in order to avoid tickets and higher insurance.

Why then do you suppose that seat belt usage across the U.S. can vary so greatly from the state where usage is highest, Hawaii, (97.6%) to the state where it is lowest, New Hampshire,(72.2%)?

Let's take a look at the states where drivers seem to be very conscientious about their own safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's report...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Sparky19038 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,062 Points:582,090 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2012 3:07:34 AM Ignore Sparky19038 Report Abuse @blazerbob91 re:"Everyone should use seatbelts. There should be an ignition interlock to prevent the vehicle from going in gear without seatbelts fastened." I seriously hope you are kidding. If not, why not add a breathalyzer-interlock, remove the radio, limit cars to only one seat, ban cup holders and cigarette lighters, eliminate billboards, and ban tight clothes on hot women?
Sparky19038 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,062 Points:582,090 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2012 3:03:55 AM Ignore Sparky19038 Report Abuse @CivicMA I'm with you: using seat belts is smart, however it is not the Government's responsibility or right to make citizens do the smart thing. We have a God-given right to be stupid.
tree_shakker Veteran Author Ontario Posts:427 Points:187,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2012 8:31:41 PM Ignore tree_shakker Report Abuse Buckle up or shut up!
123cowboy Champion Author Maine Posts:1,833 Points:403,570 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 5:00:34 PM Ignore 123cowboy Report Abuse how do their accident/death rates compare with the rest of the states?
dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,790 Points:411,010 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 5:53:23 PM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse Just wear them. Statistics show it's a good idea.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,982 Points:1,278,925 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 3:09:52 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse "Live or die free".
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,431 Points:425,825 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 12:58:05 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Hmmmmmmmmm.
MetroSexual Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,004 Points:316,380 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 12:08:24 PM Ignore MetroSexual Report Abuse "Of course, New Hampshire residents do not get any encouragement from their government as the state has no laws requiring motorists to use seat belts." Wrong. It is the law that anyone under the age of 18 must use a seat belt. The driving age is still 16, so SOME motorists are required to wear a seat belt. Frankly, it should be a personal choice. The "law" needs to stay out of it.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,013 Points:600,660 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 10:20:23 AM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,959 Points:1,018,570 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 9:36:55 AM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse If they don't care, I don't care.
deejai Champion Author Florida Posts:8,949 Points:1,068,370 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 9:04:04 AM Ignore deejai Report Abuse In Florida to ride without a helmet you must be 21 years old and you must have $10,000.00 medical payment insurance or some type of healthcare coverage that does not exclude motorcycles with at least $10,000.00 in coverage. Check out the price of 1 day in an ICU. $10,000.00 is nowhere near enough. Same should apply to seatbeats. If you want to take the motto "Live Free or Die" literally go ahead. Just make sure you can cover your own expenses for the inevitable.
mike1881 Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:1,311 Points:567,350 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 6:43:21 AM Ignore mike1881 Report Abuse Not to mention the annoying dinging a car does if you don't put the seatbelt on.
VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,765 Points:1,263,870 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 12:21:04 AM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse "Live seat-belted or die."
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,745 Points:1,862,190 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 11:18:35 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse Well, if the driver wants to drive without a seat belt, that is his right. If they want to gamble with their own lives fine, I just will remember not to drive in New Hampshire. Seat belts save lives.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,517 Points:605,400 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 11:12:11 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse freedom to ...
Hy_Dro_Carbon Champion Author Topeka Posts:1,221 Points:46,875 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 10:59:03 PM Ignore Hy_Dro_Carbon Report Abuse Sing along everyone! "Buckle up for safety buckle up! Buckle up for safety buckle up! Show the world you care by the belt you wear- Buckle up for safety buckle up!" lol [Edited by: Hy_Dro_Carbon at 3/13/2012 2:01:22 AM EST]
HYEgasCA Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,111 Points:912,500 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 10:37:43 PM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse Do New Hampshire drivers have a death wish? Yes! Until Obama leaves the White house!!
a14morfun Champion Author Ontario Posts:11,817 Points:2,079,165 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:32:28 PM Ignore a14morfun Report Abuse RE: "What's especially puzzling is where we see seat belt usage going down. In 2004 Arizona seat belt usage hit 95.3% In NHTSA's most recent report it had declined to 81.8%." In Arizona, do you have to have the freedom to be able to move fast enough to dodge the bullets?
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,568 Points:1,174,430 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:30:21 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse P.S. - I just put my first (and only) vote for this article. It now has 64 votes!
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,568 Points:1,174,430 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:19:29 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse WOW, again, Wow! And again, time to move on with the top GB 5 and those who only comment on the articles that make - The Top FIVE! Please all Mods, and all who care about effecient energy, it is time to change newsville.
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,347 Points:571,960 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:17:57 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Common sense and proper driver/saftey education will tell you it safer to wear seat belts when driving and riding, NOT THE GOVERNMENT. Im with New Hampshire on this one.
cheapchickKY Champion Author Lexington Posts:4,032 Points:799,215 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:17:46 PM Ignore cheapchickKY Report Abuse If you don't want to wear a seatbelt, or a helmet riding your bike, fine... as long as you don't expect my taxes to keep you alive after an accident.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,740 Points:1,584,375 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:09:31 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse I always wear a seat belt.
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,965 Points:834,655 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:07:21 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse New Hampshire slogan is " live free or die ".
SIPLOWGUY Champion Author New York Posts:14,408 Points:2,773,240 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:05:48 PM Ignore SIPLOWGUY Report Abuse what
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:05:40 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse Quit controling MY life!
HKL All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:639 Points:359,430 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:02:47 PM Ignore HKL Report Abuse ????????
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,568 Points:1,174,430 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 9:02:44 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Interesting comments. And yes, it is time that Newsville moves on!!!!!! ++++++++++++++++ The potential is great, but the forum must change!!!
NemoIL Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,035 Points:1,315,170 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:59:23 PM Ignore NemoIL Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices?
bigrigAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,747 Points:1,055,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:58:35 PM Ignore bigrigAZ Report Abuse I and my family wear seat belts when ever we are in a car/truck - whatever. Not because we are stupid but because there are a whole bunch of (stupid) other drivers out there that do not. Especially sad is when little children get killed on the roads because of stupid parents who do not have them protected.
gatekeepertwo Veteran Author Wilmington Posts:389 Points:187,120 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:56:19 PM Ignore gatekeepertwo Report Abuse apparently the police do not enforce seatbelt laws
Vetteblu Champion Author Denver Posts:2,685 Points:782,770 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:54:21 PM Ignore Vetteblu Report Abuse Maybe they do.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,277 Points:591,330 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:53:14 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Common sense...
MacDad614 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,035 Points:1,178,520 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:52:42 PM Ignore MacDad614 Report Abuse "In some states one can understand the numbers... some places are so wide open like the Dakotas, that maybe people don't believe they're exposed to as much risk as they might be if they were on New York's Long Island Expressway." Then having a tire blow out wouldn't be considered a risk. Right. Drivers in New Hampshire are carrying the state's motto a bit too far.
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:571 Points:403,850 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:52:19 PM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse Very interesting. Had not thought about a variance in seat belt usage across the U.S.
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,273 Points:1,363,415 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:51:11 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse The proper place of Govt, no surprise that everyone doesn't agree. While I don't like much Govt intrusion I will say that getting independent folks to put on seat belts for their own good is pretty mild. Used to wear mine before it was the law, too bad common sense isn't more common.
TimNH Rookie Author New Hampshire Posts:1 Points:431,970 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:51:08 PM Ignore TimNH Report Abuse It's called Darwinism.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,334 Points:1,534,725 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:50:52 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Probably people in New Hampshire are not too bright. Probably from drinking too much salt water.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,091 Points:2,472,165 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:50:49 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse My experience in NH has not been bad... but I'd watch oneself in the states of Ohio, Oregon and California.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,080 Points:1,734,140 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:50:33 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse dumb
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,155 Points:1,885,620 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:49:59 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Everyone should use seatbelts. There should be an ignition interlock to prevent the vehicle from going in gear without seatbelts fastened.
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:8,158 Points:2,597,750 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:49:27 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse We are all adults and make our own decisions
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,003 Points:1,115,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:48:29 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Wonder where this states stand on DUIs??? No need for seat belts, place a six inch steel spike on everyones steering wheel,
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,237 Points:820,495 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:47:12 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse then they wonder why insurance rates are high ...duhhhhhh
kc5jsu Rookie Author Texas Posts:34 Points:56,860 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:47:00 PM Ignore kc5jsu Report Abuse Ticket or Click it.. Sometimes its hard to click it all the time. what happen to the cars with automatic seat-belt clicks.
wiwhite87 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,551 Points:666,235 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:46:30 PM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse A few weeks back, there were a slew of deaths from traffic accidents. The person being ejected from the vehicle was the contributing factor, and it was due to not wearing a seatbelt.
jango28 Sophomore Author Memphis Posts:161 Points:150,795 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:46:15 PM Ignore jango28 Report Abuse Its your wish, afterall its your lilfe!
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,568 Points:1,174,430 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:44:54 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Dougda, you posted; "-"LIVE FREE OR DIE" you gotta love it" - about the New Hampshire slogan. However just FYI; Connecticut used to have a helmet law for all who ride motorcycles and then in 1990 the helmet law was removed for riders over 18 years of age. My Question - Do adult motorcycle riders in Connecticut have a death wish? "LIVE FREE OR DIE" is not just about the New Hampshire State slogan, but we must remember that our freedoms came from things that happened in New Hampshire, and other similar areas! ???????????? What are your thoughts? [Edited by: MidNJ at 3/12/2012 11:46:18 PM EST]
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:43:44 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse There are no state laws to enforce. As all punishments (tickets) hit your pocketbook, that is a detriment.
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,496 Points:1,988,000 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2012 8:39:55 PM Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse Government needs to stay out of our business.