Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!ihuxe!cosmo From: cosmo@ihuxe.UUCP (r veague) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: legal penalty for not wearing seatbelts Message-ID: <489@ihuxe.UUCP> Date: Mon, 30-Jan-84 18:40:53 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxe.489 Posted: Mon Jan 30 18:40:53 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 5-Feb-84 12:12:51 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 18 ===== I saw a segment on the local news the other day about new (?) laws in Illinois and "five other states" concerning the use of seatbelts. It seems that if you are injured in an accident, and the party at fault can prove your injuries would have been less severe had you had seatbelts on, the damages awarded to you can be reduced considerably. This seems to me to be a good compromise over mandatory seatbelt usage. If you fail to wear your belt, you assume some (or all) of the financial responsibility for your injuries. Does anyone know more about these laws? Do they cover motorcyclists without helmets? Are other states adopting similar laws? rick "Five point harnesses for everyone!" veague