as if we didnt know it already!!

--- In stickittoclickit@yahoogroups.com, "William P. Grossklas, Sr."
<grossklas@...> wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Charles
> To: stickittoclickit@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:28 AM
> Subject: [stickittoclickit] Crackdown on those who don't use
seatbelts- UK
>
>
> http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/crackdown-on-
seatbelt
>
> Press Releases
> Search for press releases
> Crackdown on those who don't use seatbelts
> 15 September 2008
>
> The Home Office has launched a consultation into increasing the
fixed
> penalty for those who fail to wear a seatbelt.
>
> The consultation (new window) seeks views on increasing the fixed
> penalty from £30 to £60 for failure to comply with seat belt
> legislation.
>
> The government hopes the increase will convince those people who
> still risk injury or death to themselves and others to start
using
> their seat belts.
>
> While educational campaigns and publicity have made considerable
> differences in behaviour, some drivers and passengers still
ignore
> the risks.
>
> In crashes at speeds between 0 and 30 mph, seat belts reduce the
risk
> of death by 60%.
>
> So that means 40% of the time, these safety belts fail. What
other product could be put on the market and stay there with a 40%
failure rate and not incur massive lawsuits?
>
> Other changes possible
> The consultation also seeks views on increasing the fixed penalty
for
> the misrepresentation of vehicle registration marks from £30 to
£60.
>
> The use of illegal number plates can have a significant impact on
> criminal investigations and crime detection, particularly on the
> effective use of automatic number plate recognition cameras to
help
> police fight crime.
>
> Home Office minister's statement
> Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said, 'The vast majority of
> motorists wear seat belts but some drivers and passengers still
> choose not to, even though wearing a seat belt is a key factor in
> avoiding death or injury in a car crash.
>
> 'By increasing the fixed penalty we hope to deter more motorists
from
> not wearing a seat belt, and underline to them and other road
users
> the risks.'
>
> Road Safety minister's statement
> Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said, 'Wearing a seat belt
could
> save your life; it's as simple as that.
>
> Notice the dissembling here. "Could" save your life; not "will"
save your life. This means it is still the luck of the draw whether
you will live or die; pure chance. As it is pure chance, it means
forcing the use of seatbelts is nothing more than a money-making
scam. But, then, you already knew that. This article just proves it.
>
> Research is clear that around
> 350 lives in 2006 could have been saved by belting up.
>
> 'We are determined all drivers and passengers realise the
importance
> of wearing a seat belt, both in the front and back of a vehicle.
> Today's proposal sends a clear message about this and will
encourage
> more people to belt up for all trips.
>
> 'Alongside this, the Department for Transport (new window) will
soon
> be launching a new, hard-hitting public information campaign,
> reminding everyone of the value of always using a seat belt.'
>
> Notes to editors
>