Insurers could boost use of seat belts

April 1, 2001

I use a seat belt and all members of my family use them. Reducing traffic fatalities is a commendable goal, but Rep. Oberle is taking the wrong approach as he repeated supports a mandatory seat-belt law. I feel the government shouldn't try outlaw stupidity as everyone has a constitutional right to be stupid.

Blame the failure to use a seat belt on the apparent lack of action by the insurance companies. Insurance companies, to protect their bottom line, often impose restrictions in life insurance policies. If they insure a prized athlete, they often prohibit the athlete from engaging in dangerous activities, like sky diving. So why don't they combat reckless habits of their insured drivers?

If these actuarial bean counters were serious, they would stuipulate in each car insurance policy that they would not pay for any medical costs of an accident for those not wearing a seat belt.

In that way, no one would force anyone to wear a seat belt and no one could scream that their rights have been violated. However, if you were hurt in a car accident and you or any of your passengers were not wearing a seatbelt, the insurance company should not have to pay for your stupidity, er, I mean freedom of choice.