[citation][nom]jevon[/nom]No similarities at all? I understand what you mean that no seat belt doesn't make you more likely to cause an accident. I'm talking about the similarities in public perception and adaptation of being more safe - it took a while for seat belts to catch on even after it was put into law, and it's going to be the same with cell phone/texting as we are seeing right now the majority still texting (just like the majority continued to ignore seat belts at first, until everyone realized how important they are).Are you serious about saying seat belts should have been a personal choice? Or are you just saying that for arguments sake...? It had to happen, and there are many many stats out there even just from basic Google searches on how many lives seat belts save each year. Why NOT make it law to wear them? Unless you're a huge believer in Darwinism of course. Then there's the whole aspect of you choosing not to wear your seat belt and are driving a lot more careful because of it (......) and some other careless person slams into you, sending you through your windshield...I also wonder if you actually believe that seat belts cause as much harm as they prevent?? I mean seriously... how many lives and serious injuries have they prevented? Sure they can cause bruising and even cracked ribs, but the air bag is more likely to cause problem than your seat belt. And if you're in an accident significant enough that your seat belt is going to "harm" you then I'm pretty sure you won't be complaining because it's going to be saving you way more than hurting you.Anyway sorry for such a long post, I'm just not really able to wrap my head around your arguments[/citation]
You are very perceptive: I am playing a bit of Devil's Advocate. I do believe that texting while driving is a different case, and I understand what people are referring to regards to the behavioral modifications. I am also an avid believer in the seat-belt laws because, while it may cause people to be less cautious when driving, it unfortunately does effect other people indirectly because of the sad state of insurance law, and the fact that if someone refuses to wear a seat-belt, my premium invariably goes up.
But I do think it needed to be stated, out loud, that there is more to the behavioral modification than just the law, and that there is a very real possibility that laws like this cost us more, in money and lives, because of unforeseen externalities. I think this texting offense is not right as it will be enforced. Texting is far worse than speeding, yet even though it is, by definition, reckless driving, cops can't just pull people over for doing it, where before this piece of legislation, perhaps a precedent could have been set for strong litigation for an offender.