Unit 157 Wear Your Seat Belt!

G : Some people think the government should require passengers by law to wear seat belts in cars and taxis.

They say that seat belts save lives and money. Statistics show that 60 percent of people killed in car accidents were not wearing seat belts. Statistics also show that most people who wear seat belts survive. In the past 30 years, seat belts have saved almost $600 billion in medical costs. The average car accident costs $820 for each person in the United States. Some states require people to wear seat belts. In those states, about 80 percent of the passengers follow the law. However, other people think it's wrong to require seat belt use by law. They say that passengers should decide for themselves. Many of these people agree that seat belts save lives, but they don't think the government has the right to force people to wear them. They point out that smoking cigarettes is also unhealthy. But the government lets adults smoke if they want to. Leaders cannot force people to do what's good, they argue. It's better to educate people so they will want to wear seat belts. Those who want seat belt laws say that the right to public safety is more important than the individual's right to free choice. But their opponents say people must be careful to protect their individual rights. They should decide how to live their lives, not the government. What is your opinion on this?