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From: stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Seatbelt discussion -- new twist
Message-ID: <871@ihuxr.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Jan-84 11:43:17 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.871
Posted: Mon Jan 30 11:43:17 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 1-Feb-84 01:37:52 EST
References: <93@whuxj.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 42

Carl Blesch asked if there were any stats on what percentage of accidents
gave better odds to non-wearers of seat blets than to wearers of seat belts.
The only stats I've seen are probably 5-7 years out of date now.  They 
suggested that 1/1000 or 1/10000 (I believe it was the former) of the time
you are better off or even odds without a selt belt in an accident.  This was
based on studies of accident reports from many places.  Sample size not
mentioned, or at least not recalled.

I beleive the source was either AAA or National Traffic Saftety Board (or some
such name).

Their point was that playing the odds was extremely chancy.

I have also noticed what Carl mentioned about non-wearers always knowing
someone who fared better because they were without a belt.  Except that I
have noticed that when asked for details, usually it is really that one of
their friends knew a friend whose friend was in an accident and, no, they
don't really know anything about the accident, and, no, they don't know
what injuries the person id receive (if any), and, no, they aren't sure if
they can think of any where you are better off out of a seatbelt....but their
friend told them so it muxt be true!

points:  1.  it is not better to not wear a selt belt if you fall in a river.
             (getting tossed around the interior of the car is more likely to
             leave you unconscience or disabled than a seltbelt is to trap 
             you.  Usually you don't want out of a submerged car that fast 
             anyway.  
         2.  it is not better to be thrown from a car.  If the windshield
             doesn't kill you, and scrapping along the ground at 55+ mph
             doesn't wipe all your skin off, then the car landing on you
             will probably put you out of your misery.

Good luck, and fasten up so that the other guy doesn't have the privalige
of attending your funderal instead of sitting there in court while you sue.

-- 
 ________
 (      )					Don Stanwyck
@( o  o )@					312-979-3062
 (  ||  )					Cornet-367-3062
 ( \__/ )					ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck
 (______)					Bell Labs @ Naperville, IL