My uncle used to do this peculiar thing while driving. He was concerned about getting a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt, so he would wrap the shoulder strap around his left arm and drive. That way it would APPEAR to the cops that he was weaing one, but he would in fact; be belt-less.
I never understood this. Presumably his hope was that should he have a collision, not only would he be ejected from the vehicle and be injured that way, his left arm would also be yanked from the socket by the half-worn belt. Is that not idiotic? Why not just wear the belt, avoid the ticket and enjoy the added safety in the event of a crash?
Same logic applies (presumably) to the numerous idiots around town riding bikes with a helmet on, but the chin strap undone. You realize that should you fall or be hit by a car – the helmet will fly off and you bare head will strike the pavement. I guess it is categorically uncool to wear a helmet. But, since its the law you might as well place it on your head but ensure it does not protect you from injury in any way. That makes sense. —Darwin is watching!
This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2010.
the helmet on the handlebar intrigues me…not going to do much good if you go flying over them
I much prefer the “Darwin is watching” to the Karma is going to get you. Thank you OP.
When you picture the most average person that you know and reflect upon the fact that 50% of the populace is stupider than that person; that whole survival of the fittest thing seems like a big steaming pile of monkey poo.
The people the OP is referring to are hoping to win the Darwin Award.
As long as it’s not hurting other people I don’t give a shit if someone wants to be an idiot.
I have a friend who won’t wear her seatbelt for “personal reasons” *bigeyeroll*…she’s preggers now and I’m not sure if she’s still not wearing a seatbelt, but God help her if she isn’t and has an accident….
I remember a few year back getting pulled over on my motorcycle for not wearing a helmit.
THe officer told me he was going to ticket me, when I pointed out that I had the helmit (it was the little brain cap some of us wore) strapped to my elbo,which i said was technically me wearing it…. the helmit was still in place while speaking to the officer. He went to his car & came back with the rule book, which states the helmit must be worn on the head…damn !
Thought I was getting through a loop hole, but the tickets weren’t much back then, & I had gotten several before .
Pregnant and not wearing a seatbelt? I hope she’s keeping her arse on the coach at home. Otherwise she’ll be one of those bad-choice mommies.
Bike helmets are basically just convenient containers for broken skulls and smashed brains in any event, but yeah doing up the chin strap is a no brainer (pun intended).
Unfortunately, sebastard, she drives EVERYWHERE and for long distances.
You can’t say anything to her about anything because she knows all. And apparently she’s a “better driver” when she’s drunk…*sigh*
geez pk, i’ve heard that before and it never ends well
Those bike helmets are just made of plastic…. if you get hit by a car it’ll do a good job of preventing a mess, but that’s about it.
I know several people that do the whole seat belt around the arm thing. I guess their logic, such as it is, is that they would rather be thrown clear than trapped in a car and burned alive. Of course, it would be minus an arm, but whatevs.
i’ve been hit by cars, the helmet cracked but saved my head. unless your head is directly run over by a truck wheel it can’t hurt. i smell toast
darwin has already picked his winner for this year o.p., but rest assured, he is deffinately looking at all the new idiots around, and there are so many to choose from this trip.
The answer is bubblewrap. Discuss.
Here you go TTFN
http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/swedis…
Gfunk: Bicycle helmets are proven to recduce the incidence and severity of head injuries amongst cyclists.
They are constructed of high density foam which takes the force of the impact and deforms to absorb it. Protecting the head and its contents.
That is why it is recommended they are replaced after any significant impact – because their ability to absorb another one is lessened.
Javagirl: You write as if being thrown from a car in a crash is a good thing. How many cars – outside of hollywood – burst into flames after a crash? Essentially none.
Seatbelts save lives and reduce injury in car crashes more than any other intevention. Period. Being thrown from the vehicle is a decidely bad option if you wish to survive a car crash….
To westcoastkid – not what I meant at all. Being thrown from a car is not preferable at, I’m quite certain. I’m simply saying that I know a couple of older guys who honestly believe that the car will burst into flames and they have a fear of being trapped. Didn’t say their thoughts made sense!
Bicycle helmets don’t do diddly if it’s your face that hits the pavement! Concussion and road rash are still acutely achievable. Ask me how I know this! Same goes for motorcycle helmets unless they are the full-face variety. Psssssst…More, twenty-plus years on my motorcycle and not one ticket. Not for lack of trying…hehehe…cue theme song…”get on your bad motorscooter and ride”…vrooooooommmmmmmmm:)
Actually, when it comes to burning cars there have been quite a few cases of trapped passengers who did not make it out alive. Equally horrible for the helpless bystanders who have to witness such a horrific, slow death. The truth is, no matter the vehicle, when travelling at speeds faster than man was designed to, if the unexpected occurs there will be casualties.
My silly friend HOLDS her helmet in her hand.. Stupidity knows no limits.
I told her, if she falls and it hurts, she’ll be lucky, but if she falls and it doesn’t hurt, it’s because she’ll be unconscious, and i’m not picking her brains off the concrete, because I’ve warned her time and again she’s an idiot.
maybe she is worried about messing up her hair. balls has a solution, i just hope i never see one in my daily day. oh and make sure she signs her organ donor card
Based on what, oceanchick? Show me your stats that say there are “many cases” of cars bursting into flames and trapping the passengers.
I can tell you it is rare as hens teeth. Certainly not an outcome you should prepare for by NOT wearing a belt.
I cant tell you how many people I have treated in the trauma bay for injuries from car crashes. The worst of them unrestrained. There are several of these everyday in Halifax. How many have I seen with burns from being trapped in a flaming car? None. Not a single one.
I bet there were 5 people injured in car crashes this weekend. I bet there haven’t been 5 burned this year.
The two aren’t even on the same scale. Your argument is ridiculous.
Well, wck, the many victims of the ’99 Carnage Alley accident may disagree with you, as could a few other accident victims I can remember reading about during my time in Ontario. I am not arguing in favour of unrestrained driving, merely acknowledging a fear being trapped inside a burning vehicle, which does, unfortunately happen more than rarely. Usually it is the wreckage which traps people, not their seatbelts. By the way I did not say ‘many cases’. I said ‘quite a few cases’, which is abstract and open to interpretation. At least quote me correctly if you are going to take umbrage with something I’ve said. Then YOUR arguement won’t seem ridiculous. BTW: where are YOUR statistics to reinforce your arguement?