Federal Government Regulations that saved tens of thousands of lives began..6/30/77
Thirty Nine Years ago yesterday, Brock Adams, Secretary of Transportation with Jimmy Carter's approval and support, announced that by 1984 all cars must be equipped with either seat belts or air bags...While there was some discussion and argument about this, since it was so far into the future, it was assumed it would not be of consequence..More than enough time for car manufacturers to make the arrangements..Other safety requirements followed: crumple zones, additional lights on cars, (side lights and a funny light in back window) seat belts in front and back, shoulder harnesses, and eventually air bags on both sides of the car..and more...
Republicans were against additional regulations but it was accepted. (far into the future)
In 1979..a few years before the mandate took effect...51093 were killed on United States highways.
In 2014, approximately 32,500 were killed on United States highways..40 percent reduction in deaths with 50 percent greater population in the country and millions more cars and trucks. And many injuries which could have horrific and life threatening, were much less severe..
The Republicans always talk about how great "less government regulations would be"...This one set of facts proves what a lie that is. In this case, government regulations, ordered by Jimmy Carter, and his transportation secretary Brock Adams, have saved tens of thousands of lives over the course of more than 35 years..Remember, Republicans did not want the original rule to go into effect., Now putting on the seat belts is the law.. Airbags are in cars, front and side, along with seat belts and harnesses all around..That is the law too, all new cars must have these safety devices.
If you hit the link below, proof of the above will be provided....Note, the gradual reduction in the 80s and more reduction as years went on. The reduction from the 80s to now, over all, is quite significant when considering the increase of the number of miles traveled. 2011 and 2014 were very similar with about 32,500 deaths..The last time the number was lower than that was in 1949. Hit the link and take a look at the 3 charts provided. At the link there are the number of deaths from about 1900 to the present.
So, if you know someone who was saved by a seat belt or airbag ,it was President Jimmy Carter and Transportation Secretary Brock Adams who started this in 1977. with the seat belt mandate 39 years ago yesterday. Government regulations saved their life. That is solid proof that regulations are often life saving and helpful, and the Republican lie machine cannot deny this truth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year
= new reply since forum marked as read
When I say "1968," I don't know if that means cars built on or after January 1, 1968, or 1968-model cars. I'm sure I can look that up.
Shoulder belts were an option before then. I had a 1967 Ford Country Squire. When I peeled back the headliner, I saw the mounting points in the roof structure for shoulder belts. I got some shoulder belts from a '68 and installed them in my car.
Lap belts have been required since the mid-60s, and, like shoulder belts, they were optional earlier. I had a 1963 Falcon in which lap belts were installed as an option.
Like shoulder belts, side lights were required in 1968. Can you see the lights? Look closely.
1967 Mustang
1968 Mustang
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
I think what they meant by "seat belts" is automatic seat belts. That is, you don't get to choose whether to wear them or not.
Most of the things in that post happened in the 1960s, well before 1977.