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From: gam@amdahl.UUCP (gam)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Seat-belt laws (and proposal for penalties)
Message-ID: <1134@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Feb-85 14:55:19 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.1134
Posted: Wed Feb 13 14:55:19 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 22:43:10 EST
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Organization: Blue Mouse Trailer Resort, Hellmouth, CA
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> David Albert   ihnp4!ut-sally!harvard!albert (albert@harvard.ARPA)

> Sure, maybe the insurance company could refuse to pay if
> you were found dead in your car with your seatbelt off.
> But could they prove you hadn't taken it off after the
> accident?  And if it were on, could you prove that you
> hadn't put it on at the last minute -- thus removing your
> hands from the wheel and contributing to the accident --
> to avoid losing your insurance?

From what I have seen, the difference between wearing a seatbelt
and not wearing a seatbelt in an auto accident is unmistakable.
In the latter case, the driver/passenger usually ends up dead or
permanently brain damaged.

As for putting it on at the last minute:  there just isn't time.

Here is a refined proposal for insurance penalities for not wearing
seatbelts:

Let's say you get a 10% discount on your medical premiums if you
wear a seatbelt.  If it is determined that you are not wearing
your seatbelt, your medical coverage would be reduced to
the NON-discounted premiums would buy; that is, you would be
paying a lower premium, but getting lower coverage as well.
-- 
Gordon A. Moffett		...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam