Something that really bugs me is having to wear a seat belt, well actually its the fact that I am told without any choice that I MUST wear one. Without getting into any argument over just how much safer you are with a seat belt, we can save that for another day. However I will say that I know someone first hand who was in a horrible crash without a seat belt and walked out with minor scratches because they were not wearing one (the roof above their head collapsed down to the steering wheel and had they been buckled in they would have had their head crushed). While I fully admit that scenario is most likely the minority, I just want to be given the option to choose my fate.

My rationalization for this is that (as a Florida resident) I am given the choice, as long as I meet certain requirements to go without a helmet on a motorcycle. I must ask…Which seems safer, a motorcycle without a helmet or a car without a seat belt? Also keep in mind I am in favor and support Florida’s helmet laws, I believe it should be the riders choice.

You see Florida law allows me to choose not to wear a helmet as long as I am “over 21 years of age” and also have “an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits.”

“a person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.”

To make my point simple and clear, I am required to have insurance on my car, whether or not I choose to wear a seat belt, all I am asking is that I be given the option to choose whether or not I wear a seat belt. It should ultimately be my decision.