Compulsory seat belts
Sir, —Compulsion, no! We are not fully informed of the dangers of using belts. I have been rolled over by another vehicle. In such circumstances, using belts is most dangerous. With one arm pinned, one broken, and a vehicle on fire, how does one undo a belt? Not always is someone waiting to help, and, further, after an accident one does not immediately regain full faculties. The tendency to panic and struggle is there, and to be strapped in tends to make one act violently. I suggest any laws made on compulsion be made only by those who have experienced
similar conditions. The editor may divulge my name to responsible persons who require my views in the public interest. Eventually cars will be rubber padded, passengers will wear crash helmets. Is the matter of road use being wisely handled?—Yours, etc., I KNOW; I WAS THERE. March 26, 1971.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710327.2.124.9
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 18
Word Count
151Compulsory seat belts Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 18
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.