I actually had a friend who, in high school, did die because he was trapped inside his Jeep by a seatbelt. The passenger was flung free of the vehicle while he remained inside as it flipped over and over. His friend escaped with only a sprained wrist, scratches & bruises.
Having said that, it's the one instance I know to be true. AND it speaks to the safety (or lack thereof) of Jeeps more than seatbelts, since in any vehicle with a roof - or with strong enough support beams surrounding him - he would not have been crushed in such a manner. AND his friend might just as easily have been crushed by the flipping vehicle.
So ... not disagreeing with you about their safety benefits, except to say that it has happened. But the number of people saved by seatbelts far outweighs the one I'm aware of that died.
But, on a final note, I do believe it's personal choice. I don't believe you should be penalised for not wearing one. If you're dumb enough not to, so be it. Though parents should be accountable if their kids aren't wearing one, because that's no longer their OWN safety. For the record, I wear mine, as do my kids. And, as far as I'm aware, so does everyone else I know.
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I actually had a friend who, in high school, did die because he was trapped inside his Jeep by a seatbelt. The passenger was flung free of the vehicle while he remained inside as it flipped over and over. His friend escaped with only a sprained wrist, scratches & bruises.
Having said that, it's the one instance I know to be true. AND it speaks to the safety (or lack thereof) of Jeeps more than seatbelts, since in any vehicle with a roof - or with strong enough support beams surrounding him - he would not have been crushed in such a manner. AND his friend might just as easily have been crushed by the flipping vehicle.
So ... not disagreeing with you about their safety benefits, except to say that it has happened. But the number of people saved by seatbelts far outweighs the one I'm aware of that died.
But, on a final note, I do believe it's personal choice. I don't believe you should be penalised for not wearing one. If you're dumb enough not to, so be it. Though parents should be accountable if their kids aren't wearing one, because that's no longer their OWN safety. For the record, I wear mine, as do my kids. And, as far as I'm aware, so does everyone else I know.