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?