Seat Belt Laws

Wait, wait, where did I say "absolutely no idea"? But there is having "some idea" and having enough understanding to make a responsible decision. I mean, I have some idea of how to fly a plane, but I would not do so (and should not be legally allowed to do so at this time).

I am sure that "hot, with seering pain" does not describe putting your foot in molten steel. With a little more imagination, I can assume that the air would be hot (I have felt hot air before, and perhaps it would be like that). I have singed myself with a match, so I have some idea of being burnt. But, I cannot really know to what lengths I should go to prevent the chance of it happening.

Can you tell me what it is like to be in a car accident?

But, the point was, I thought, that we can understand how traumatic a car crash can be. Don't you think we can?

I thought you were implying that we can't know what a car crash is like when you asked:



Was I wrong?

But, it is not about whether we know that it is a bad thing. It is about whether we truly understand how bad it is, and how worth avoiding it is. I would suggest that people who don't wear a seat belt aren't really understanding how worth it it is to avoid going face first through the windshield. Because otherwise they would wear the seat belt.

You even say with some viligence, "going face first through the windshield", so I know you understand the repercussions. Why do you think others don't?

"really". "really understanding". A blind man can say "blue is a sad color" without really understanding it.

Just because I can say the words, doesn't mean I have any idea what I'm talking about. I can say words that mean nothing at all.

And the evidence that they don't understand the repercussions is that they don't wear a seat belt, just as the evidence that the man in the bridge example hadn't understood you was that he kept walking.

We don't tell children "if you play on the train tracks you might get hit by a train" and then just leave them be. And we shouldn't be so sure that we adults aren't prone to the kind of foolishness our children are.

"really". "really understanding". A blind man can say "blue is a sad color" without really understanding it.

Just because I can say the words, doesn't mean I have any idea what I'm talking about. I can say words that mean nothing at all.

And the evidence that they don't understand the repercussions is that they don't wear a seat belt

We don't tell children "if you play on the train tracks you might get hit by a train" and then just leave them be. And we shouldn't be so sure that we adults aren't prone to the kind of foolishness our children are.

Have you been headfirst through a windshield? If not, how can you understand the repercussions enough to say that other people need to avoid it so dearly? I think it's obvious that you know how dearly it should be avoided just as other people can as well.

And tell me your reason for not allowing 8 year olds to take meth.

And tell me your reason for not allowing 8 year olds to take meth.

I'm not going to write about all of this. The point is that we can understand what a car crash is like. That's it.

I don't think that's evidence. I don't wear a seat belt, and I am more than aware of the consequences. Sometimes it's a thrill driving at 60mph+ with the wind blowing through my hair with no seatbelt on. This is negligence, not ignorance.

Well, again, this could lead into good discussion. How do you think age should be considered with a law like the seat belt law? If people cannot know any better (whether they are young, have a mental problem, etc.), maybe it is our responsibility to make sure they abide by certain things that ensure their safety. What do you think? (And Night Ripper)

Because an 8-year old probably doesn't understand the consequences. Again, age is good to bring up. Let's relate this to the seat belt example (like I probed up top).

The 8 year old will be able to say that it is bad to take meth, and that if you don't wear your seat belt you will probably die painfully. But as you say, he probably doesn't understand.

Yes, I do understand what you were getting at. But what I still don't understand is why you think that adults don't understand the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. What is your reason for thinking this?

what more reason does he need than to show that people actually don't wear their seatbelt?

Yes, I do understand what you were getting at. But what I still don't understand is why you think that adults don't understand the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. What is your reason for thinking this?

I know many people that consciously choose to not wear seat belts, even though they fully understand the consequences.

I don't see that as evidence. You do? I know many people that consciously choose to not wear seat belts, even though they fully understand the consequences.

what pros vs. cons could they be weighing if they truly understand the consequences?

We feel like we are not going to get in a car wreck. Seat belt type laws are self protecting laws.

Sometimes we are willing to put ourselves in potential harm, in order to appease a desire. It's just risk-taking. It doesn't mean we don't fully understand the consequences.

Sometimes we are willing to put ourselves in potential harm, in order to appease a desire. It's just risk-taking. It doesn't mean we don't fully understand the consequences.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't wear a seat belt because it's uncomfortable. So, I'm willing to put myself at great risk (like going through a windshield) in order to ensure I don't sacrifice comfort.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't wear a seat belt because it's uncomfortable. So, I'm willing to put myself at great risk (like going through a windshield) in order to ensure I don't sacrifice comfort.