[Fred Douglass]

This has been a very interesting thread. I would agree with many of the statements herein...but when it comes down to historic perspective, sometimes an old adage is remarkable appropriate---"Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.." It's all about incrementalism and public apathy---v.s. personal freedoms. Think about it in this perspective---if you're a solo driver, police perceive that you're unbelted---and fine you---who are you failing to protect? Whose choice is being challenged? If you swallow the line that it's the other insurees who are being protected from your personal folly, then it could get into some very strange extensions. It DOES seem logical that sub-adults be required to wear seatbelts------ especially if they're passengers. It becomes another kettle of fish when an adult, with no passengers, is stopped for failing to take what are considered prudent measures. You have to look at it from the perspective of what they think we are. The Nanny State is patient and incrememtal in its encrouchment upon our rights. The authorities may not even be consciously doing it (!?). "The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions". As for the exposure you engender when backing out of your driveways (OR parking lots)---avoid the danger! Learn to back INTO the driveway/parking space! Which is the more hostile environment, the travelled road/lot or your driveway/parking space? Maryland used to see the logic---they'd give you a warning if you were parked so as to necessitate BACKING into traffic.
You've gotta look at what's happened in the last 60 years, We've become a nation wh/ is pathologically risk-averse, We've let soft-handed bureaucrats take over a lot of our elective choices. Look at the offenses commited by the Crown, 1763-1776---then look, by comparison, to what we've done to ourselves!!! You guys drive Cobras---your vehicle-choices speak volumes. Don't roll over when some egg-headed scolds who've never driven over 55 start protecting you from yourself! It's social engineering at its worst. They'll have us riding yogurt-powered unicycles with full body armor, if we let 'em! Full helmets in the shower! How do you like the hidden-cameras-in-the-street crap! C'mon guys---rally 'round. Let's form a Quixotian Society---you're already telling them QQQQ* with your cars!!!
Chow and cheers,

*(translation will be provided if requested)