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By Design News Staff -- Design News, February 17, 2003
WHERE'S THE DATA?
Before you simply accuse those who do not wear seat belts of stupidity or ignorance (DN Editorial 01.13.03), we ought to consider a very important question. Have those who encourage and threaten us to get us to wear seatbelts ever bothered to present any data that prove that seat belt usage actually does reduce peak deceleration force in a collision?
I have never seen such data (I've looked), and advertisements don't even bother to state the hypothesis. Rather, they simply pursue the ad hominem approach of "don't do it and you're stupid." Such an approach indicates that they lack either the ability or will to make a real argument in favor of seat belts. As such, it's no wonder that many people don't wear seat belts. They have never been given a persuasive argument to wear them. The same point can really be made for following most traffic laws; those that encourage compliance make ad hominem attacks and threaten the populace with tickets, but never really bother to state why it's a good idea. (I do happen to wear seat belts, in case you were curious.)
Robert M. PerryDesign News reader
NOT A BUCKLER
I agree with your opinion about how everyone should wear a seat belt, but I thought you might want to hear from someone who doesn't fit your statistics. I'm currently in college in Mechanical Engineering and I fully understand how energy and momentum transfer can kill you.
But I don't fully agree with the laws that require me to wear my seat belt. Consider speeding for an example. If I'm speeding, then I'm putting other people's lives in danger, and therefore it should be a law that I can't speed. It works the same with driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. However, if I'm not wearing my seat belt, then I'm not putting anyone else's life in danger, only my own. Many people put their life in danger everyday by doing crazy stuff, but there's not a law prohibiting a lot of it (e.g. skydiving, smoking, binge drinking, etc.). I agree with wearing a seat belt 100%, and I think that everyone should wear one, including myself. I just don't think I should be made to wear it by law.
Jonathan SmiDesign News reader
MANDATORY SLED TESTS
In reference to your editorial about the unwillingness of people to wear seatbelts. I would propose adding a simple inclined sled mechanism (I've seen them in action) at every driver license renewal station. These sled mechanisms have typical car seats and seat belts and when the seats are released the "driver or passenger" is subjected to a simulated 3 mph or 5 mph collision. Requiring all license applicants and renewals to "ride" the sled with and without seatbelts will firmly ingrain a desire to wear seat belts all the time.
Neil Hartwig OCEAN SPRINGS, MS
CLAP CLAP CLAP
I want to say: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! For the new look of Design News magazine! When I received this issue (1.13.03) in the mail, I glanced at the cover and the new format and assumed it was a cool new design/tech magazine like ID, WIRED, or Discover Magazine. I was very pleased to see that it was in fact Design News. Thank you for realizing that some of us engineers out there do like to think we have an aesthetic sense, and prefer modern-looking mags to stuffy, boring trade rags. Finally, an engineering magazine that can hold its own on my coffee table as well as on my bookshelf!
Larry Cheng PALO ALTO, CA
NEW FORMAT IS FAB
The new format for Design News is terrific. I enjoyed the feature story about amusement park ride safety. With today's technology, the rides are getting better, but safer. The nice part is that the safety factor is designed in without detracting from the thrills. Have you checked out the new 400 foot high, "Top Thrill Dragster" at Cedar Point? It should be a winner!
Floyd Stearns WARSAW, NY
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