Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 ggr 10/28/83; site pyuxnn.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!eagle!allegra!alice!rabbit!pyuxnn!srm From: srm@pyuxnn.UUCP (SR Marcovici) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: mandatory seatbelt laws (personal experience) Message-ID: <209@pyuxnn.UUCP> Date: Thu, 2-Feb-84 13:43:44 EST Article-I.D.: pyuxnn.209 Posted: Thu Feb 2 13:43:44 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 01:40:55 EST References: <3438@tekecs.UUCP>, <525@ihuxn.UUCP> <235@charm.UUCP>, <868@ihuxl.UUCP> <150@wbux5.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway Lines: 33 Here's MY personal seatbelt story - I'll try to keep it brief: I've always worn seatbelts (shoulder harnesses, or whatever) and besides the fact that I feel uncomfortable WITHOUT them on, I'm convinced that they do save lives; I believe they saved mine and my wife's. We were stopped behind a large american station wagon who was waiting to make a left turn. This was on a 2 lane highway, just a shoulder on each side to pass - in any case I was simply waiting behind this car until he made his turn, so I could proceed straight ahead. With no warning a Cadillac smashed into the rear of my Toyota Corona and propelled us forward at a fairly quick speed - we were forced back into the seats so hard that the seat backs reclined fully. I managed to regain a semi-upright position in time to see us careen off the wagon in front of us. We then veered into the lane of oncoming traffic - luckily no one was coming our way - and continued another 50 feet or so until the car came to a stop. My injuries were limited to some bad bruises caused by the seat belt, and some cuts on my knees (I've got long legs). My wife was bruised on the face by the shoulder harness, and that's it. It was obvious that without the belts on we would certainly have sustained serious injuries, if not worse. My car was totalled; the driver of the Caddy was cited for reckless driving and was never fined/sentenced since she was a resident of NY and this occurred in NJ (she simply didn't show for the court date). Of course I'm glad to have survived, but I do feel anger at having saved this woman alot of grief because we chose to protect ourselves - due to the circumstances, she got off scott free. BUCKLE UP! Steve Marcovici AT&T BELL LABS ..pyuxnn!srm