still got the flat badge? :D Er I mean Retirement badge?

Sure, why not, I don't ride one. :) I feel the same way about motorcycle drivers as automobile drivers, it's your responsibility as an operator to take the necessary precautions to prevent serious injuries. I've often wondered how many people that have the "Kill a biker, go to jail" bumper stickers on their vehicles also complain about the helmet laws.

Haven't tried it out but I imagine being in a casket on a permanent basis would be extremely claustrophobic.

You're right Roy, there is a set of people who hate cops no matter what, and will be against anything they do pretty much. Unfortunately I have encountered a few in my life and gotten my share of tickets but I was doing what they said I was doing each time.

I got a speeding ticket a while back after not having received one for 3 years or so, and I thought to myself that paying $150 for speeding every day for 3 years was not a bad deal.

Wow, I can't believe Denver Chief and I disagree so much on this topic. I too don't like being told what to do by big government, and I don't wear my seatbelt near enough, on highways I do, but riding around town or when I worked as a cop and was in a car I didn't, made it hard to get out of the car quickly. My reasoning, is not meant to be an excuse.... If I get a ticket, I'll be a big boy and accept responsibility.

Good points about the insurance, Bugeater, but it is more than that, DC - you have worked accidents, right? Think about the time difference between an accident with injuries to an accident without injuries. Liabilities with insurance companys aside, what about safety of the fire/EMS/Police working an accident, on scene longer, traffic still going by, more drivers at risk for accidents from rubber necking.

One of the main reasons we have to have stupid "click it or ticket" programs is stubborn A-holes like Skip. "I don't and I won't wear it, I'm only hurting myself" - Only, you aren't only hurting yourself! This type of thought is what puts me and other public servants at greater risks. During accidents and even where I might decide to run traffic control. If the department has a good traffic unit, they are going to work in areas of higher accident percentages. With the idea it will decrease the number of accidents.

Seat belts help save lives, yeah yeah, but more importantly it reduces your chances of being injuried, and therefore lowers the response size and time and reduces risks of injuries to the response persons, AND gets you and your broken ass vehicle off the road quicker so other drivers have less distractions and a safer driving experience.

Standing on your personal freedoms is great, if it were true, but the greater good for the greater population wins this one.

I still think we should just make cars self guiding anyway. We have the technology (or at least close) to do this now. Then you don't have to worry about accidents, drunk drivers, people on cell phones, sleepy drivers, etc. Besides that way I can take a nap on the way to work in the morning! :)

Awesome Idea, I love it.

i think the law is crap


we should have the right to "risk injury" if we choose to.

Nope, gave it up in 1983, small town politics, again, a cop could do no right, no matter how good of a job he did. Wasn't worth the disrespect I took for doing my job.........

Generally I agree, but I can see a basis for it in a way since everyone's insurance costs affect everyone else.

since taxpayers may have to foot your bill for medical costs if you are injured in an accident and unable to provide for your own care or to raise your kids if you die in an accident, they can do whatever is necessary. I want you to wear your seatbelt too, so health care costs go down.

And they get 85 - 100 dollars per ticket.


Cops, to protect and serve and raise revenues...

Eh. Old people don't drive fast enough to get seriously injured anyway. :p

If the insurance companies had an out not to pay if the injured wasn't wearing a seat belt..... and the injured party would have to be liable for payment. Granted, it would never truly happen, but..

Now that's just cruel.