Ok, I didn't want to do this, but I HAVE to say something here. A statement
like "I would have been more injured if I had used my seatbelt" may be true in
individual rare cases. However, generalizing this to apply universally is
like saying "I have smoked for my entire life and I don't have lung cancer, so
smoking must not be bad for you"
I see the results of the lack of restraints all the time. Also, my family is
alive from a nasty roll-over where luggage in the car became projectiles down
the road, as would have my kids but for their car seats. There are the urban
legends of being thrown from the car and being better off for it, but your
head is a very delicate thing. A little bop on the head and that's it.
Based on my personal and professional experience I believe that more
restraints are good things overall. I can not wait until knee level air bags
become standard as well. This is because people are surviving previously
lethal accidents with the upper airbags and 3-point belts. But the less
supported legs meet with the dash forcefully. Just a few years ago, the
undertakers only had to pull the legs straight enough to fit in the casket.
Now we have to make them function again.
So, take your pick. Use less restraint and you may not have to worry about
your injuries anymore, or use them and live.
-Tony
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