Does everyone have their seatbelts on? This is a question that children hear every time their parents start the vehicle. Even so, seat belt laws are enforced in forty-nine of the fifty states; parents reiterate this time and time again to keep us safe rather than simply following the law. Beginning in the 1930s, doctors determined that a lap belt should be used in automobiles to avoid serious or fatal injuries. Over the years, the simple two-point lap belt has evolved into a multi-point seat belt used for many different types of driving. Race car drivers generally use a five-point harness. However, for normal everyday driving “the three-point combination, hip and shoulder “is considered the safest version and is the one found in most vehicles today” (“Seat Belts”, 2010). Seat belts are the main prevention against ejecting passengers. Opponents argue that wearing seat belts should be a personal choice, not something mandated by law. Proponents support the initial theory; it is safer to stay within the confines of the vehicle for added protection. It is critical that seat belt laws are enforced to increase seat belt use, decrease motor vehicle injuries and deaths, and reduce the costs of medical bills and insurance claims for auto accidents. For starters, it is right that the government requires regulations on car manufacturers to install seat belts. “The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recognized for many years that motor vehicle crashes are responsible for ninety percent of all transportation-related deaths caused by traffic accidents” (Roeber, 2008). Furthermore, state legislation sees fit to enforce laws... middle of paper... users should be happy to have the choice. They can save lives in their vehicle or risk getting a ticket. The choice is theirs. I have made my choice and choose to be safe rather than sorry. Works Cited Balaker, T. (2008). Seat belt laws are unnecessary. Retrieved from Opposed Viewpoints Resource Center database.Higgins, K. (2010). Primary seat belt enforcement laws are beneficial. Cars in America. Retrieved from the Oppositing Viewpoints.Roeber Resource Center database. DE (2008). Seat belts reduce fatal road accidents. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database. "Seat belts". (2010). In current problems. Retrieved from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database Tilton, B. (2010). Seat belt laws are intrusive. Cars in America. Retrieved from the Oppositing Viewpoints Resource Center database.