LAW IS UNJUSTIFIED

How justified is the seat-belt law in New York State? Being pulled
over and recently ticketed in a seat-belt trap made me realize the law
is very unjustified.

There are two main reasons the law is extremely unjustified. The first
main reason is that police officers have bigger problems to take care
of within the area. Every day I drive by well-known methamphetamine
labs and drug dealers' homes, and the police are worried about a
handful of people not wearing their seat belts?

Jefferson County has one of the higher percentages of drug use in
Northern New York, and still the police seem to be worried about me
not wearing my seat belt. Do they need to meet their quota? How many
parents would rather have their child not wear their seat belt than
taking drugs?

Second, not wearing my seat belt only effects one person in a
accident, me. If the United States is supposed to be a pro-choice
democracy, shouldn't it be my choice to wear my seat belt? If it
effected other people in the car or outside of the car, then the
seat-belt law would be reasonable. However, the only person that gets
hurt in a accident if I don't have my seat belt on is me. Therefore,
it should be my choice to wear my seat belt.

I realize I have a greater chance of being injured or the chance of
death is higher, but if it doesn't affect anyone else it should still
be my choice. The law seems to be very unjust, and with the law in
effect it seems to be abused. There should be some changes made.

Scott Chawgo

Sackets Harbor