Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Seat Belt Law Foolishness

I always wear my seat belt, but I do not wear this active restraint because the state decrees I must, I wear it because it makes sense.  If you don’t want to wear your seat belt, don’t.

New Hampshire, the “Live Free or Die State,” currently the only state without an adult seat belt law, may soon be putting one on the books.

The primary sponsor of the seat belt law, is Democrat Jennifer Brown. And what is her reasoning for sponsorship of such a law?

The bill’s primary sponsor, state Representative Jennifer M. Brown, said her goal is not to erode the state’s famous motto, but to prevent serious injuries that drain the public coffers in a state that is trying to make ends meet without a sales or income tax.

Brown additionally has this to say.

"By that person being stupid and not wearing their seat belt, they are costing me and my constituents money,” Brown said. “And if there is one thing this state believes in even more than ‘Live Free or Die,’ it is no broad-based taxes."

Ms. Brown’s arguments sound rather convincing, especially if the state has to foot the bill for those inclined to foolishly not wearing their seat belts without the state’s coercive power as their incentive.

Though Ms. Brown’s arguments seem convincing, what is the real reason for New Hampshire’s consideration of such a law?  I think it is the following.

If it does pass in its current form, the state could receive $3.7 million from the federal government for promoting public awareness of the need to use seat belts.

Yep, it’s the dollars, both from the federal government, and from what New Hampshire can glean from enforcement of the law, if it passes.

I don’t think New Hampshire will have room on their license plates for a revision of their state motto, though.  “Live Free or Die, But You Better Have Your Seat Belt On.”

New Hampshire could join rest of nation with seat belt law

Posted by John Venlet on 05/23 at 04:43 AM
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