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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