Why Do So Many Drivers Shun Seatbelts?

[Milvus]

LV the car insurers have just completed a survey that shows 6% of drivers don't wear seat belts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-29416372). A bigger total would result if you added in passengers I expect.
The value of wearing a seatbelt doesn't seem in question to me.

Do you wear seat belts as a driver?
Do you wear seat belts as a passenger in a car?
Do you wear seat belts as a passenger in a taxi?

[SlackAlice]

Yes to all three, no brainer to me.
All my passengers have to wear them as well.

I used seat belts well before they became compulsory. In fact my first car (Ford Popular De Luxe, if you must know!) was fitted with them soon after I bought it.

[Cloverjo]

Always as a driver or a passenger. Not in a taxi though, can't explain why.
My OH won't wear his when driving unless we're going on a long journey and the incessant beeping noise drives me mad and he then reluctantly puts it on.
He feels too constricted, he says.

[chrissa1]

He would certainly feel, "less restricted" Cloverjo, when he goes flying through the windscreen in a crash, and kills himself.

[Old_Geezer]

Yes the noise is not a reminder but a machine nagging its humans. Maybe they need to bring back the Jimmy "Clunk Click" public information films ?

[Cloverjo]

I know, Chrissa. He is very heavy and it worries me what damage his body could do to others too if we were in an accident.

[Khandro]

OG; // Maybe they need to bring back the Jimmy "Clunk Click" public information films//
Younger readers may like to know the 'Jimmy' was Savile. and I'm not sure how welcome his advice would be any more.

[Milvus]

TWR, I have heard stories of people being trapped by seat belts too, but only from other people. I have never seen a report in the news, newspaper so I think these stories aren't, in the main, real. Have you any reported examples?

[tonyav]

Yes x3, I also make sure any passenger wears them also.

[TWR]

Milvus, one of our Tanker driver was on the A59 a few years back, he was heading for Preston Nr a Garage, a Petrol Tanker had just discharged his load in the garage & on his way out to join the A59, he pulled straight out causing another HGV to swerve heading for our tanker Driver, If the seat belt laws would have been out & our driver would have been wearing his, he would have been instantly killed as the other HGV that swerved ended up head on into the driver side of our tanker, the drivers seat was stuck into the back of the cab including the steering wheel, I don't know if you are aware, a petrol tanker is more lethal empty than it is loaded due to the fumes, they are a travelling bomb. our driver survived but very shaken.

[wolf63]

I don't drive but, as a passenger, I wear one. I have to admit that I don't use one in a taxi.

I am always amazed at people who wear their belt but have a big dog unrestrained sitting on the back seat of the car.

[TWR]

If persons want to see the result of NOT wearing a seat belt, have a person in the N/S Front & the N/S Rear of the car unbelted doing 5MPH & slapping on the brakes without warning, this should make them belt up.

[ludwig]

// Why do they make laws to protect people from themselves? //

They don't. It's because it saves millions for the NHS. Same applies to bikers having to wear helmets. These things make the difference between a minor shunt that everyone walks away from, and an injury requiring hospital treatment, perhaps crippling or even fatal.

Yes to all 3.

[whiskeryron]

You should always wear a seat belt when travelling, I recall someone travelling in a coach who always belted up but who was injured by a 'flying' passenger who had refused to wear the seat belt provided.

[2sp_]

I always wear a belt on the public road, but don't if I'm in the Landrover on the farm or our fields.

[DSJ]

Yes
Yes
Yes

[Jeza]

I wear one, but only because I have to. If it was my choice then I wouldn't. A near neighbours neck was broken in a car accident because of the seat belt.