Quote:
Originally Posted by g hall
................. it could be argued that some deaths have occurred when people have been trapped by their seatbelts..............
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Yep! Exactly. When I was working in Northern Ireland we had a rep there who was an absolutely appaling driver. He should never have been allowed behind the wheel of a car, he had zero situational awareness. He'd charge round blind bends whilst facing his passenger and chatting. It wasn't that he drove fast, (I think he selected his speed according to astrological principles - I certainly never saw him pay any attention to any posted speed limit whatsoever) it was just that virtualy every driving decision he made was a wrong one, in my opinion. I dreaded going out on trips with him.
Some years previously exactly G Hall's scenario happened to this guy. He stuffed a car into a ditch and rolled it. (Surprise sur-bl00dy-prise!) He was then trapped by his own body weight acting on the seat belt, effectively jamming the release mechanism. Then petrol began to drip into the cars interior. This peturbed him a little! Fortunately help arrived quickly and he was safely extracted from the car, which in any event did not become a fireball.
As a result of this he suffered some sort of traumatic stress and could not wear a seat belt. He carried a psychiatrist's letter in his car, explaining why he should be excused from wearing one.
So yes, although I'm sure seat belts have saved many lives, and generaly I think they are a good thing, I'm sure they have cost a few as well.