Letter: Seat belt law protects our financial interests

Regarding Fred Bilello's March 28 letter, "Government should stay out of our lives":

It is agreed that, in large part, it is better for the government to stay out of our lives. But it is to our collective advantage that our representatives step up to the plate on such issues as health and safety. In the matter of seat belt laws, extensive studies have shown that wearing them has saved lives and lessened the severity of injuries, despite rare exceptions. We wear ours and want everyone else to wear theirs.

Junk food and smoking may be bad. A person's freedom on these matters may affect his or her own body and those in close relation or proximity. It is another matter when a freedom threatens the public. Injuries and deaths cause insurance rates to be higher for us all or cost taxpayers directly when uninsured are involved and the government has to pick up the tab.

The bottom line to this letter is that seat belt laws are only protecting us from those who do not have or use common sense or do not care about themselves or others.

M.C. Mills, Las Vegas

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