Originally Posted by
Triceratops
I can't speak for the rest of the EU but the UK had a lot of ad campaigns in the 70s and 80s reminding everybody to wear seatbelts, particularly because it was only (I think) in the late 80s that all cars started being sold with rear seatbelts. Nowadays they probably assume we don't need to be reminded to do something so blindingly obvious.
I find the 'the car doesn't tell me to do it so it can't be that important' argument a bit odd, frankly. My car doesn't tell me to brake for red lights...
I believe the campaign to wear seat belts is still ongoing, especially on a world scale.
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Don’t consider criminalisation until you have overwhelming support and a high degree of voluntary compliance in the target population. In effect, criminalisation should only be considered when it reinforces existing social norms. Criminalisation may therefore be useful at the end of a long process of voluntary change to control the behaviour of a very small number of chronic resistors.". -Les Robinson
In other words (if you live in a democratic society)
1) government should use logic and statistics to educate the populace. Campaigns as mentioned by Triceratops.
2) allow the populace time to understand the wisdom of a law to a point where they also will promote it
3)then it's possible to enforce by clearly communicated law
4) lastly sanctions should be given for those breaking the law.
If a government does not consider public opinion the result is protest.
I am sure someone can provide the actual percentage of those in favor of seatbelt laws but this article and subsequent comments from locals indicates some of the populace have missed points #1 and #2 in the process and have been forced to go directly to #4
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/new...belt_up_blitz/
The article speaks of trash collectors who were fined for not wearing their seatbelt.
nobull says...
10:15am Thu 25 Feb 10
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Belt up!!!!!"
Despite my lapse in judgement or ignorance of local law! I could not agree more.
Here are a few resister comments after the article:
Quakers2 says...
8:44am Thu 25 Feb 10
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This seems a bit harsh .... Sadly the Police are losing the respect from many “normal” people by their inflexible application of the law. A warning would surely have done in the case of the bin men."
rayc says...
8:47am Thu 25 Feb 10
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It's madness. The Police do themselves no favours. Of course seat belts should be worn but blanket enforcement like this just gets peoples backs up....
The other thing is that these council employess are on the streets every day and have been asked to be the eyes and ears in the fight against criminal activities etc. I bet they are a lot less likely to assist the Police in the future."
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It is interesting to note that the Police have exemption from the seat belt laws which they enforce. The exemption also applies to those being carried in a Police vehicle e.g. those under arrest."
Azphreal says...
8:26am Thu 25 Feb 10
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Are these the same people who give on the spot fines if they see you accidently drop a bus ticket?"
And some Australian protesters:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226553670028
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nat...-1226553670028