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411
Woman Rages At Friend For Ignoring Her Trauma And Trying To Get Her To Put Her Seatbelt On
Have you ever gone over to someone’s home and they’ve got some really weird rules? Homes are little castles and everyone has some particular quirk that they’re only comfortable with at home.
Same goes for cars: they’re also little personalized spaces where people can feel comfortable. And sometimes, one of those weird rules is not wearing seatbelts. I don’t know about you, but it’s muscle memory for me at this point.
This story is about a friendship suddenly falling apart when a friend wouldn’t put on a seatbelt for a 15-minute ride.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Sometimes friendships get tested by the silliest of things, but personal safety is certainly far from silly
Image credits: Dids (not the actual photo)
A woman took it online to ask if she’s a jerk for refusing to move another inch when her friend wouldn’t put a seatbelt on
Image credits: u/throwandgo1234
Image credits: Maxim Hopman (not the actual photo)
Her friend had an interview upcoming and said that she foregoes belts because of a traumatic story involving her uncle, who was trapped in a car by one and perished
Image credits: u/throwandgo1234
The poster kicked her out of the car after some arguing, leading her to be late to the interview and lose out on the position
In the original poster’s (OP) story, a friendship all but fell apart after she refused to drive her friend, dubbed “Reese”, to a job interview. She refused for a good reason – her friend just wouldn’t put on her seatbelt. And her friend really didn’t want to take any risk for Reese ending up in pieces.
Reese said she wouldn’t do it because of a traumatic story of her uncle, who supposedly perished in a car explosion when he couldn’t remove his seatbelt in time as he was “twisted up” in it.
A lot of comments called this story out for being bogus, some of them identifying as first responders and nurses, saying that it’s far more likely that the uncle was unconscious or otherwise incapacitated – if it even happened.
You heard that right – many called out Reese and said that her story is completely fake, something that she’s created so people would give her a free pass on the seatbelt thing. But you’ll have to make up your own opinion for that.
Another thing that she was called out on was her own logic. She mentioned that she’d be without a seatbelt for a mere 15 minutes, but the opposite is also quite true – if she had abided by her friend’s rules, she’d only have to wear it for 15 minutes.
This led to a falling out, as neither side would budge and Reese was late to the interview, missing out on the job she had been seeking for a while.
Image credits: Gustavo Fring (not the actual photo)
According to the nonprofit National Safety Council, seatbelts have saved more than 370k lives from 1975 to 2017. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of perishing in an accident from 45% to 60% and the risk of injury falls even lower.
We should give thanks for our lives being safer almost daily to Nils Bohlin – a little known Volvo engineer who invented the three-point safety belt, making it much safer and easier to use. Even more so as Volvo at the time made Bohlin’s patent available to all, even gifting designs to competitors, so adoption would happen quicker and everyone would be much safer as a result.
But some people really do refuse to wear them. According to a study performed by the aforementioned NHTSA, the main reason why people occasionally forego seatbelts is because they are driving short distances, with 56% of seatbelt-ignorers mentioning it. As for the people who don’t use them entirely, 65% said that they are uncomfortable with them, which I can understand, but I’ll still take a bit of discomfort over being robbed of life.
For the short distance part, I also get it, I truly do. But freak accidents happen and I don’t want to be on the front page of the papers as “the guy who forgot his seatbelt and paid for it.”
Another funny reason listed in the survey is “resentment at being told what to do,” which is kinda… goofy?
And if you’re ever in doubt about your seatbelt-wearing activities, watch this Irish seatbelt promotion ad and you’ll be… quite refreshed, I promise. It’s quite brutal, but the message is clear – buckle up.
OP’s story got nearly 14k likes with a 92% upvote rate and the community’s judgment that she was not a jerk. Some people did say that OP was the butt, but most shared stories of their own, which, while gruesome, only support wearing seatbelts.
Share your own thoughts about seats, belts, and safety in the comments below!
The community agreed the driver wasn’t a jerk and that not wearing a seatbelt is no joke at all
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
What do you think ?
RP 2 years ago
Unless their rules go against the law. Which obvs is the opposite of this case. But if someone said 'no seat belts in my car', I'd be getting out asap
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Sonja 2 years ago
I don't believe her fable about her uncle for one single fact: cars just don't explode. The Brainiacs and Mythbusters both did everything to make a car explode. It just doesn't happen unless you put in dynamite. So this was completely made up bs to guilt trip OP to let her break the law and risk the fine.
SkyBlueandBlack 2 years ago
Yeah, assuming she actually had an uncle who died in a car crash, at no point did any medic, doctor, cop, or anyone else conclude that wearing his seat belt caused his death.
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James016 2 years ago
I'm the same, I won't move off until everyone has their seatbelt on. At Christmas, my wife's brother was visiting from Turkey where they don't care for such things, so I went to pick him up and he and his son got in the car. His son put his belt on but he just sat there so the warning bong started. "Put your seatbelt on"...."It's OK".....Put it on or get out". But it's your responsibility as the driver and you will be the one in the s**t if you get caught. 100% she'll blame you if she got injured in an accident on that journey.
V Martinez 2 years ago
I was thinking the same. If they had an accident the 'friend' might sue her and possibly claim it was how op was driving or something. (Even if it was not op's fault.) Op- Put your seat belt on. Friend - No, I don't use them. It's a short drive, I'll be fine. They have an accident. Friend gets thrown from the car. Friend - I'm going to sue you, op! Op- you made your choice to not wear the seat belt, you're on your own. Friend- you knew I wasn't wearing it, you should have drove better! Op- but the other car hit us! Friend- So! I was riding with you, and you should have seen them coming and avoided it so I wouldn't get hurt!
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Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago
15 minute trip? I've totaled 2 vehicles less than a mile from home. A lot can happen in 15 minutes,
Ivy at Eve 2 years ago
According statistics, that is where modt accidents happen.
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Negatoris Wrecks 2 years ago
Her uncle was only alive and able to be aware he was dying because the seat belt kept him from flying out of the windshield and also being dead.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
NTA. Reese may be willing to risk her own life, and that's her business. She's not entitled to place you at risk. Since it's your car, the traffic ticket would be in your name, as would the associated fine, as would the increased driver's insurance premium. If there was an accident, the fact that she was not belted could lead to YOU becoming injured or dying. "An object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force." Her seatbelt is supposed to be that force. Your skull is not.
Betsy Ray 2 years ago
This fact is often forgotten. As you wrote, the unbelted passenger becomes a projectile.
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whineygingercat 2 years ago
I had to give a 'persuasive' speech in a college class once. I gave it on wearing seatbelts. Before I began, I asked how many people in the class didn't wear their seat belts. More than half the class raised their hands. After my speech, 5 minutes, our professor asked, how many would be wearing seat belts now? The whole class put up their hands.
Susana Silvestre 2 years ago
It was Volvo, not Volkswagen that did no patent the three point seatbelt, and we are all grateful!!!
Got Myself 4 Pandas 2 years ago
Was wondering if anyone else noticed that mistake
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Toaster Teostra 2 years ago
Why do I have the feeling, Reese made this uncle story up? If someone would pull this stunt in my car, they are going to have a bad time. My car starts beeping louder and louder the longer someone isn't wearing a seatbelt while driving faster than 10 km/h (My car was build in 2006). Wear a seatbelt or get a Tinnitus.
tabithapaquette98 2 years ago
Totally NTA. Almost everyone I know, myself included, won't drive until everyone has their seatbelt on. You were trying to do her a favor. She was being ridiculous and made herself late. I would definitely rethink this friendship.
LH25 2 years ago
My now-hubby got irritated that I wouldn't go out with him unless he wore his seatbelt. He tried that "but what if I get stuck in the car because it won't unbuckle?" line. We talked to a police officer friend who said that in his career, he had never had that happen. That way more people die because they aren't wearing a seatbelt. He also pointed out that you were much more likely to be alive and conscious to get yourself out of the car if you had been wearing one.
Robert T 2 years ago
Very simple. If it is the law that you must wear a seatbelt and that the driver is the one that will be fined/get points on the licence if a passenger fails to do so, then you either wear your seatbelt or you can f*****g walk! The only exception to this is you hold a current medical exemption from wearing a seatbelt, and I will want to see it first.
Zeke Zehkinlt 2 years ago
My dad use to be a paramedic and even as a child he always told us that he never had to unbuckle a dead body. It stuck with me and when I started driving I always made sure my passengers had their seatbelts on regardless of the distance.
Ron Baza 2 years ago
“Reese got upset and said that her uncle died in a car accident because he got twisted up in his seatbelt and wasn't able to get out of the car before it exploded, so she doesn't wear a seatbelt for ‘safety reasons’.” That’s sad, and entirely understandable. You can never be too careful. “Reese only got more upset and said it was only a 15 minute drive and the chances of us getting into an accident are so low, so it doesn't matter.” Hang on a minute…
LayDiva in the Zone 2 years ago
OP has a friend who isn't concerned about her possibly having an accident or being pulled over by the police because she doesn't want to wear the seatbelt? I had a acquaintance who got upset with me because I put on my seatbelt in her car...I just looked at her and said It's the LAW. Anyone who uses that excuse if having a relative who died due to wearing a seatbelt is delusional and can walk to the nearest bus stop.
Matt Du 2 years ago
In the UK the driver is only liable if the child is under 14 but this also includes correct child car seats. Anyone over the age of 14 are consider old enough to be responsible for their own safety and incur a on the spot £100 fines if caught. If the refuse to pay and lose in court it then goes up to £500 and 2 points on their licence.
Littlebunnyfufu 2 years ago
In both Washington and Oregon, the driver is only responsible for making sure any passenger 16 and younger are wearing belts. Anyone over 16, it's their ticket/violation. That being said, my car isn't moving until everyone is belted.
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Ela 2 years ago
My little sister was dating a guy in your usual garage band. They were good. Had a gig at a place all the way across the state...and we're a big Western state. Long drive. She went along. Afterward they drove home rather than pay for a hotel room. They were broke 18-19 year olds, saving up college money. She and her boyfriend swapped seats so she could sit by the window. About 3:00 AM, the driver swerved overcorrected, rolled the car. Don't know why. Maybe an animal ran in front of them. Maybe he was too tired. My sweet girl hadn't put her seatbelt back on. LifeFlight got her up to a Trauma One hospital only 40 minutes from where I was working about an hour after I got on shift. No one called me because they didn't want me to have to cope with it while on duty in a high security facility. By the time I got off work and found out, parents had signed the organ donor forms and it was over. I never said goodbye. The others were bruised up, mostly from being hit by her body. Wear the belt.
zak 2 years ago
Speaking as someone who broke a windshield with their face and bent the steering wheel in half with their chest, all because I didn't put my seat seatbelt back on for a 2 minute drive after stopping at a gas station, the "it's just a short drive" argument falls on deaf ears. Thankfully my passenger kept her belt on and was not injured other than some seatbelt bruises. I did have a great grandmother who refused to wear seatbelts for a similar reason (her friend died in a car fire because the belt was stuck), so I'm empathetic to the trauma, but they make pocket-sized emergency tools to cut seatbelts and break windows so it's still no excuse.
Littlemiss 2 years ago
Ask my brother in law about not wearing a seat belt. Oh yeah he's dead because he went head first through his windscreen because he thought he knew better
UpupaEpops 2 years ago
I genuinely don't get what people have against seatbelts. I mean I guess they are a bit uncomfortable if you can't adjust the height, but so is spending the rest of your days in a wheelchair...
Seabeast 2 years ago
I'm embarrassed to admit that I had my current vehicle for four years before I discovered how to vertically adjust the seatbelt so that it wasn't so high up on my neck. 😜
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Weronika Błaż 2 years ago
In Poland, the penalty rules are a bit different. In case of not wearing seat belts, everyone has to pay for themselves. So "Reese" would've been the one with the ticket and fine, not the OP.
Magpie 2 years ago
OP would still have been burdened by pulling over & Reese would still have been late. Reese was out of order.
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SheamusFanFrom1987 2 years ago
I drive as if I live in my car aka a lot. So for me, my car is a sacred ground and I don't want anyone's blood on it, even mine. As such, I would make sure the one riding shotgun is buckled up and comfortable while the rear passengers are also secure (I understand sometimes it may be hard to buckle up in the back but I make sure they are at least safe). Doesn't matter if it's 15 minutes or 5 hours, you get into my sacred ground on wheels, you follow my rules and be safe. Let me worry about getting us there.
Featherking 2 years ago (edited)
Well, almost; the three point belt was invented by VOLVO, here in Sweden, and it was some Swedish dude named Nils something who decided it’d be immoral to patent it - the gain for mankind and Volvo as a business was too great. Because dead customers are not return customers.
Stephanie Ventura-Montalvo 2 years ago
A coworker's son is facing jail time for disabling one 17 year old, and killing another, when his truck rolled over and no one had belts on, and hubby's former coworker is just a few steps above being vegetative, because he didn't wear his, and went through the windshield, when he got hit. If everyone in both of those vehicles wore their belts, the accidents would have been minor enough for everyone to just walked away. But nope. A single mother had to bury her only kid, and two people will spend the rest of their lives, needing tons of help, and may even still die prematurely, as a long-term consequence, due to the nature of their injuries. WEAR YOUR DAMN SEATBELT!!!
Seabeast 2 years ago
I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt one December night in 1997.
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Deborah Rubin 2 years ago
A seatbelt saved my life. And that was back in the day when it was just the lap belt. I have always worn a seat belt and would do so even it it wasn't the law. Oh, and my dog has a harness that fastened to the car's seat belt.
PattyK 2 years ago
1) In California, if the passenger isn’t wearing a seatbelt, both the driver AND the passenger get tickets; 2) some insurance policies are written so the insurance company doesn’t have to pay medical expenses for anyone who isn’t wearing a seatbelt; 3) OP needs to pick her “friends” more carefully.
Ge Po 2 years ago
If the car exploded because of the accident, I suspect the uncle would have died on impact if he had not worn his seat belt. Getting tangled up in it afterwards is unlucky, but is certainly not a reason not to wear them. Yes, a thief could whack you to smithereens with your own fire-extinguisher, that is still no reason not to have one in your house.
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
I suspect the friend made up the story of the danger of seatbelts just to justify her reason for not wearing one. NTA
John Smith (he/him/xy/️) 2 years ago
Waaah waaaahhh waahhhh because of some bs argument i don't feel i have to adhere to safety rules. Bloody child. What is it with the younger generations and this trauma bs nowadays. Grow a spine!
Stephen Lyford 2 years ago
NTA. Her car, her rules, and wearing a seatbelt is just SMART, regardless of the tragic accident her uncle had.
Paul Richards 2 years ago
Nta, the liklihood of an accident where the car explodes are almost 0
ZombieGirl 2 years ago
My 16 year old niece was out joy riding with her friends one night (yes they were all drinking too) with the windows rolled down and no seat belts on. They took a turn faster than they should have and my niece flew out the window and got crushed by the SUV as it flipped over on top of her. Seat belts save lives more than they don't
Al LeFeusch 2 years ago
I've heard that flying head first through a windshield is fairly traumatic.
Bronze Republic 2 years ago
And if OP got into a wreck, she would be responsible for any injuries Reese sustained/dies from. In the US, in most states, if you are caught with a passenger w/o a seat belt, the driver is fined.
Wonderful 2 years ago
A former coworker tried this on me. He even pretended to buckle up. I just stared at him like he was a idiot til he sheepishly buckled up correctly. Then he tried to stealthy unbuckle while I was driving. I put my hazards on and stopped on the shoulder. He was a man child and this was just the tip of the iceberg. I feel weird if I don't have my seat belt on. Buckle up ppl!!!!!
Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
Despite all of the proof of safety with seatbelts, I've seen posts and products being advertised to "trick" the seatbelt alarm so they can drive without. It's crazy, I don't understand why anyone would want to do that. Besides, seems like a lot of work and expense, if they really just to die in a car wreck, they could just Thelma and Louise it.
Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
I agree, I won't even move my car out of my driveway to the street in front of my house without my seatbelt on. Even if I'm not actually " driving" somewhere, just adjusting how my car is parked. Anything can happen anywhere and that belt saves lives.
Seule Forever 2 years ago
It reminds me of my dad. He NEVER put his seatbelt, saying that he have been on car crash where he would have die with his belt (it is true? No idea!). He would put it only if he saw a police car, then take it off once the car pass. And he was insanely lucky, 'cause nothing never happens despite of that and the fact he was a reckless driver.... Sorry for the rant.
Jason Barnett 2 years ago
One person sounds like an old man..the other sounds like a rebellious teen. Separate no seat belt ticket are given to the passengers now.
Downunderdude 2 years ago
In Australia, if your passenger doesn't wear a seat belt, YOU are the one that gets the fine. And it's a few hundred dollars, I think.
Marno C. 2 years ago
I am calling shenanigans on this story of the uncle dying BECAUSE of his seatbelt. The ONLY scenarios I can envision are some immenint disaster like the car is on fire or train was coming for them and uncle just couldn't figure out how to work the buckle OR uncle wasn't wearing the belt properly -- had it set waaaayyy too loose -- and that is what twisted him up. Still, those are pretty far-fetched scenarios that would mostly be the uncle's fault and doesn't compare the the sheer magnitudes of deaths and injuries caused by non-belt wearers. I think this girl just didn't want to wear a seatbelt and made the whole thing up although there is really no way for OP to politely challenge that.
Terka Červeňáková 2 years ago
Not to mention that if accifent happened, pasanger without seatbelt could quite easily became projectile flying through the car, hurting others. In this case, if something hit them from the right, the friend could hurt the driver by being thrown at her... Considerable amount of injuries during accidents are caused by flying objects in the car (water bottles, walets, phones, books....)
Angie Falzarano 1 month ago
its a law. nta. because if you got in a wreck shed be sure to blame her injuries on you
Nancy Lynch 2 years ago
The photo that was used for the story shows the person sitting on the left is not wearing a seat belt. She doesn't look like she's going to either. The person on the right is grudgingly putting one on. At least find a photo that fits the story better.
Sheena Leversedge Wood 2 years ago
in the UK, the driver can be fined if passengers aren't wearing a seatbelt. it's not reasonable to expect to not wear a seatbelt in someone else's car. if you're driving, that's on you, but it's still stupid. I can't imagine not putting my seatbelt on automatically as soon as I sit in a car seat. it's an instinctive thing I don't even think about
Helen Taylor 2 years ago
NTA. For one thing, there is the guilt you would feel if she were harmed without a seatbelt. For another, there can be legal repercussions. It is illegal to drive with passengers unbelted, particularly children or front seat passengers. My mother wants survived an accident because she was not wearing a seatbelt. However, this is very, very rare. Your friend needs to see a counselor.
Janelle Collard 2 years ago
My cousin hit a tree cuz he went around a corner too fast (in a convertible.) This was before seat belts +shoulder harnesses.
HappySquirrel 2 years ago
OP absolutely had every right to insist on the friend wearing a seat belt, regardless of her "trauma". If you are the driver and the passenger doesn't buckle up, YOU and your insurance are responsible for their injuries/death in the event of an accident. I found this out the hard way when an idiot in my car told me they had buckled up (but didn't) and we got into a serious accident about 10 minutes later. They were not seriously injured, but acted like they were so they could sue my insurance company. There was a TON of proof that they were faking the injuries/pain they were experiencing - photos & video of them doing things they shouldn't have been able to do if they were so badly hurt. The claim adjuster on my end even agreed it was a fraudulent claim. They got an ambulance-chaser attorney & sued for the max allowed under my policy ($50k) - and won, because my insurance didn't want to fight them in court. It was easier just to pay it out.
ADJ 2 years ago
My brother in law is a police photographer, kind of CSI you may say... He take photos of these morons found up to 40 meters from the car. Broken bones, pieces of skin torn when sliding across pavcement, lost limbs... Terrifying. Amount of people killed because of not wearing seatbelt is not even comparable to these killed by wearing seatbelts. Reese is so wrong.
Surfin' Cat 2 years ago
You don't need an accident to get injured without wearing a seat belt. Someone running through the road not watching, a sudden breaking. And you become the accident...
Jennifer Albritton 2 years ago
I'm the same, if you're in my car you're wearing a seatbelt. The car won't move until you put it on.
Hey! 2 years ago
A few rules we told our children when they started visiting friends or places with friends: 1. One seatbelt per person 2. The driver didn't drink 3. No missing seatbelt for anyone in the car 4. Everyone is belted → If this is not happening, get out (or never get in) and call us, whatever the time wherever you are. NTA OP. Good job. Ditch the "friend".
DarkViolet 2 years ago
Kudos to OP for not giving in to the little brat. If Reese is so gung-ho about not wearing a seat belt, she can ride the bus. Then she can experience the freedom of being unrestrained, especially if the bus driver gets cut off by some lugnut in a Lexus. Think of all that she'll have to look forward to: maxofacial(sp) injuries from slamming face-first into the headrest; concussion/brain injury/broken neck from a side-impact collision; punctured lung from a broken rib; mass internal bleeding from any of her ruptured organs. Gee, sounds like fun. 😟
DarkViolet 2 years ago
NTA. Reading this story makes me want to roll up my pantlegs, pull on some Wellingtons, and start shoveling, the bullsh!t's piled so high. Reese's story about her uncle is literally, unbelievable; a 10-year-old could lie with more finesse. To the best of my knowledge, I have yet to read or hear about anyone dying in a car crash because they WERE wearing their seat belt. Reese sounds awfully entitled, and not used to having to follow someone else's instructions or being told NO. Had she gotten that job, she would have been a real peach to work with /s.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
so... in the UK, and most of Europe, iirc, wearing a seatbelt is the law, and you can be fined for not wearing it. :)
over it already 2 years ago
Her story about her uncle doesn't seem particularly believable, but it's still no excuse. My sister died in a crash where the only survivor was able to live because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt (not saying sis would've lived without it on, but the belt kept my sis & other passenger upright in the seat when the roof crushed in.) I still wear my seatbelt because science. And law, but mostly science.
Seadog 2 years ago
YTA. While I agree, your car, your rules, it's childish to demand an adult to do something they have good reason for opposing. I too do not belt up. Why? Because my son is alive today because he wasn't wearing and we had removed the airbag, either would've killed him per State police3 investigation. I'm alive because I wasn't wearing (different wreck). Side collision so belt would've had no effect except had I been wearing it would have cut me in half as the mounting point was pushed in and back 18 inches. I've also had a broken shoulder and the pressure of a shoulder strap causes me great pain. The claim seat belts save lives is a lie. They CAN save lives. They are also equally likely to kill or maim. You will never see the stats showing how many people are killed or injured by them because it will prove how ineffective they are. As for OP, I know of no state that charges the driver if the passenger is an adult. Only the passenger can be charged in that case.
Brenda Wallace 2 years ago
Technically is often wrong. I saw the aftermath of a not high speed crash. Car t-boned another at an intersection. Both driver and passenger went headfirst through the windshield, leaving their faces in the car. Both lived. Now maybe faces could have been reattached, not then. I wouldn’t have wanted to survive. Neither wore a seatbelt. Probably drunk or high. Backseat was covered in , they said, about a ton of loose change. They had been busting into vending machines all night. They were left with (of course) no skin, but no eyes, cheekbones, noses, lips, or chins. I always wear a seatbelt.
Load More Replies... RP 2 years ago
Unless their rules go against the law. Which obvs is the opposite of this case. But if someone said 'no seat belts in my car', I'd be getting out asap
Load More Replies... Sonja 2 years ago
I don't believe her fable about her uncle for one single fact: cars just don't explode. The Brainiacs and Mythbusters both did everything to make a car explode. It just doesn't happen unless you put in dynamite. So this was completely made up bs to guilt trip OP to let her break the law and risk the fine.
SkyBlueandBlack 2 years ago
Yeah, assuming she actually had an uncle who died in a car crash, at no point did any medic, doctor, cop, or anyone else conclude that wearing his seat belt caused his death.
Load More Replies... James016 2 years ago
I'm the same, I won't move off until everyone has their seatbelt on. At Christmas, my wife's brother was visiting from Turkey where they don't care for such things, so I went to pick him up and he and his son got in the car. His son put his belt on but he just sat there so the warning bong started. "Put your seatbelt on"...."It's OK".....Put it on or get out". But it's your responsibility as the driver and you will be the one in the s**t if you get caught. 100% she'll blame you if she got injured in an accident on that journey.
V Martinez 2 years ago
I was thinking the same. If they had an accident the 'friend' might sue her and possibly claim it was how op was driving or something. (Even if it was not op's fault.) Op- Put your seat belt on. Friend - No, I don't use them. It's a short drive, I'll be fine. They have an accident. Friend gets thrown from the car. Friend - I'm going to sue you, op! Op- you made your choice to not wear the seat belt, you're on your own. Friend- you knew I wasn't wearing it, you should have drove better! Op- but the other car hit us! Friend- So! I was riding with you, and you should have seen them coming and avoided it so I wouldn't get hurt!
Load More Replies... Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago
15 minute trip? I've totaled 2 vehicles less than a mile from home. A lot can happen in 15 minutes,
Ivy at Eve 2 years ago
According statistics, that is where modt accidents happen.
Load More Replies... Negatoris Wrecks 2 years ago
Her uncle was only alive and able to be aware he was dying because the seat belt kept him from flying out of the windshield and also being dead.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
NTA. Reese may be willing to risk her own life, and that's her business. She's not entitled to place you at risk. Since it's your car, the traffic ticket would be in your name, as would the associated fine, as would the increased driver's insurance premium. If there was an accident, the fact that she was not belted could lead to YOU becoming injured or dying. "An object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force." Her seatbelt is supposed to be that force. Your skull is not.
Betsy Ray 2 years ago
This fact is often forgotten. As you wrote, the unbelted passenger becomes a projectile.
Load More Replies... whineygingercat 2 years ago
I had to give a 'persuasive' speech in a college class once. I gave it on wearing seatbelts. Before I began, I asked how many people in the class didn't wear their seat belts. More than half the class raised their hands. After my speech, 5 minutes, our professor asked, how many would be wearing seat belts now? The whole class put up their hands.
Susana Silvestre 2 years ago
It was Volvo, not Volkswagen that did no patent the three point seatbelt, and we are all grateful!!!
Got Myself 4 Pandas 2 years ago
Was wondering if anyone else noticed that mistake
Load More Replies... Toaster Teostra 2 years ago
Why do I have the feeling, Reese made this uncle story up? If someone would pull this stunt in my car, they are going to have a bad time. My car starts beeping louder and louder the longer someone isn't wearing a seatbelt while driving faster than 10 km/h (My car was build in 2006). Wear a seatbelt or get a Tinnitus.
tabithapaquette98 2 years ago
Totally NTA. Almost everyone I know, myself included, won't drive until everyone has their seatbelt on. You were trying to do her a favor. She was being ridiculous and made herself late. I would definitely rethink this friendship.
LH25 2 years ago
My now-hubby got irritated that I wouldn't go out with him unless he wore his seatbelt. He tried that "but what if I get stuck in the car because it won't unbuckle?" line. We talked to a police officer friend who said that in his career, he had never had that happen. That way more people die because they aren't wearing a seatbelt. He also pointed out that you were much more likely to be alive and conscious to get yourself out of the car if you had been wearing one.
Robert T 2 years ago
Very simple. If it is the law that you must wear a seatbelt and that the driver is the one that will be fined/get points on the licence if a passenger fails to do so, then you either wear your seatbelt or you can f*****g walk! The only exception to this is you hold a current medical exemption from wearing a seatbelt, and I will want to see it first.
Zeke Zehkinlt 2 years ago
My dad use to be a paramedic and even as a child he always told us that he never had to unbuckle a dead body. It stuck with me and when I started driving I always made sure my passengers had their seatbelts on regardless of the distance.
Ron Baza 2 years ago
“Reese got upset and said that her uncle died in a car accident because he got twisted up in his seatbelt and wasn't able to get out of the car before it exploded, so she doesn't wear a seatbelt for ‘safety reasons’.” That’s sad, and entirely understandable. You can never be too careful. “Reese only got more upset and said it was only a 15 minute drive and the chances of us getting into an accident are so low, so it doesn't matter.” Hang on a minute…
LayDiva in the Zone 2 years ago
OP has a friend who isn't concerned about her possibly having an accident or being pulled over by the police because she doesn't want to wear the seatbelt? I had a acquaintance who got upset with me because I put on my seatbelt in her car...I just looked at her and said It's the LAW. Anyone who uses that excuse if having a relative who died due to wearing a seatbelt is delusional and can walk to the nearest bus stop.
Matt Du 2 years ago
In the UK the driver is only liable if the child is under 14 but this also includes correct child car seats. Anyone over the age of 14 are consider old enough to be responsible for their own safety and incur a on the spot £100 fines if caught. If the refuse to pay and lose in court it then goes up to £500 and 2 points on their licence.
Littlebunnyfufu 2 years ago
In both Washington and Oregon, the driver is only responsible for making sure any passenger 16 and younger are wearing belts. Anyone over 16, it's their ticket/violation. That being said, my car isn't moving until everyone is belted.
Load More Replies... Ela 2 years ago
My little sister was dating a guy in your usual garage band. They were good. Had a gig at a place all the way across the state...and we're a big Western state. Long drive. She went along. Afterward they drove home rather than pay for a hotel room. They were broke 18-19 year olds, saving up college money. She and her boyfriend swapped seats so she could sit by the window. About 3:00 AM, the driver swerved overcorrected, rolled the car. Don't know why. Maybe an animal ran in front of them. Maybe he was too tired. My sweet girl hadn't put her seatbelt back on. LifeFlight got her up to a Trauma One hospital only 40 minutes from where I was working about an hour after I got on shift. No one called me because they didn't want me to have to cope with it while on duty in a high security facility. By the time I got off work and found out, parents had signed the organ donor forms and it was over. I never said goodbye. The others were bruised up, mostly from being hit by her body. Wear the belt.
zak 2 years ago
Speaking as someone who broke a windshield with their face and bent the steering wheel in half with their chest, all because I didn't put my seat seatbelt back on for a 2 minute drive after stopping at a gas station, the "it's just a short drive" argument falls on deaf ears. Thankfully my passenger kept her belt on and was not injured other than some seatbelt bruises. I did have a great grandmother who refused to wear seatbelts for a similar reason (her friend died in a car fire because the belt was stuck), so I'm empathetic to the trauma, but they make pocket-sized emergency tools to cut seatbelts and break windows so it's still no excuse.
Littlemiss 2 years ago
Ask my brother in law about not wearing a seat belt. Oh yeah he's dead because he went head first through his windscreen because he thought he knew better
UpupaEpops 2 years ago
I genuinely don't get what people have against seatbelts. I mean I guess they are a bit uncomfortable if you can't adjust the height, but so is spending the rest of your days in a wheelchair...
Seabeast 2 years ago
I'm embarrassed to admit that I had my current vehicle for four years before I discovered how to vertically adjust the seatbelt so that it wasn't so high up on my neck. 😜
Load More Replies... Weronika Błaż 2 years ago
In Poland, the penalty rules are a bit different. In case of not wearing seat belts, everyone has to pay for themselves. So "Reese" would've been the one with the ticket and fine, not the OP.
Magpie 2 years ago
OP would still have been burdened by pulling over & Reese would still have been late. Reese was out of order.
Load More Replies... SheamusFanFrom1987 2 years ago
I drive as if I live in my car aka a lot. So for me, my car is a sacred ground and I don't want anyone's blood on it, even mine. As such, I would make sure the one riding shotgun is buckled up and comfortable while the rear passengers are also secure (I understand sometimes it may be hard to buckle up in the back but I make sure they are at least safe). Doesn't matter if it's 15 minutes or 5 hours, you get into my sacred ground on wheels, you follow my rules and be safe. Let me worry about getting us there.
Featherking 2 years ago (edited)
Well, almost; the three point belt was invented by VOLVO, here in Sweden, and it was some Swedish dude named Nils something who decided it’d be immoral to patent it - the gain for mankind and Volvo as a business was too great. Because dead customers are not return customers.
Stephanie Ventura-Montalvo 2 years ago
A coworker's son is facing jail time for disabling one 17 year old, and killing another, when his truck rolled over and no one had belts on, and hubby's former coworker is just a few steps above being vegetative, because he didn't wear his, and went through the windshield, when he got hit. If everyone in both of those vehicles wore their belts, the accidents would have been minor enough for everyone to just walked away. But nope. A single mother had to bury her only kid, and two people will spend the rest of their lives, needing tons of help, and may even still die prematurely, as a long-term consequence, due to the nature of their injuries. WEAR YOUR DAMN SEATBELT!!!
Seabeast 2 years ago
I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt one December night in 1997.
Load More Replies... Deborah Rubin 2 years ago
A seatbelt saved my life. And that was back in the day when it was just the lap belt. I have always worn a seat belt and would do so even it it wasn't the law. Oh, and my dog has a harness that fastened to the car's seat belt.
PattyK 2 years ago
1) In California, if the passenger isn’t wearing a seatbelt, both the driver AND the passenger get tickets; 2) some insurance policies are written so the insurance company doesn’t have to pay medical expenses for anyone who isn’t wearing a seatbelt; 3) OP needs to pick her “friends” more carefully.
Ge Po 2 years ago
If the car exploded because of the accident, I suspect the uncle would have died on impact if he had not worn his seat belt. Getting tangled up in it afterwards is unlucky, but is certainly not a reason not to wear them. Yes, a thief could whack you to smithereens with your own fire-extinguisher, that is still no reason not to have one in your house.
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
I suspect the friend made up the story of the danger of seatbelts just to justify her reason for not wearing one. NTA
John Smith (he/him/xy/️) 2 years ago
Waaah waaaahhh waahhhh because of some bs argument i don't feel i have to adhere to safety rules. Bloody child. What is it with the younger generations and this trauma bs nowadays. Grow a spine!
Stephen Lyford 2 years ago
NTA. Her car, her rules, and wearing a seatbelt is just SMART, regardless of the tragic accident her uncle had.
Paul Richards 2 years ago
Nta, the liklihood of an accident where the car explodes are almost 0
ZombieGirl 2 years ago
My 16 year old niece was out joy riding with her friends one night (yes they were all drinking too) with the windows rolled down and no seat belts on. They took a turn faster than they should have and my niece flew out the window and got crushed by the SUV as it flipped over on top of her. Seat belts save lives more than they don't
Al LeFeusch 2 years ago
I've heard that flying head first through a windshield is fairly traumatic.
Bronze Republic 2 years ago
And if OP got into a wreck, she would be responsible for any injuries Reese sustained/dies from. In the US, in most states, if you are caught with a passenger w/o a seat belt, the driver is fined.
Wonderful 2 years ago
A former coworker tried this on me. He even pretended to buckle up. I just stared at him like he was a idiot til he sheepishly buckled up correctly. Then he tried to stealthy unbuckle while I was driving. I put my hazards on and stopped on the shoulder. He was a man child and this was just the tip of the iceberg. I feel weird if I don't have my seat belt on. Buckle up ppl!!!!!
Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
Despite all of the proof of safety with seatbelts, I've seen posts and products being advertised to "trick" the seatbelt alarm so they can drive without. It's crazy, I don't understand why anyone would want to do that. Besides, seems like a lot of work and expense, if they really just to die in a car wreck, they could just Thelma and Louise it.
Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
I agree, I won't even move my car out of my driveway to the street in front of my house without my seatbelt on. Even if I'm not actually " driving" somewhere, just adjusting how my car is parked. Anything can happen anywhere and that belt saves lives.
Seule Forever 2 years ago
It reminds me of my dad. He NEVER put his seatbelt, saying that he have been on car crash where he would have die with his belt (it is true? No idea!). He would put it only if he saw a police car, then take it off once the car pass. And he was insanely lucky, 'cause nothing never happens despite of that and the fact he was a reckless driver.... Sorry for the rant.
Jason Barnett 2 years ago
One person sounds like an old man..the other sounds like a rebellious teen. Separate no seat belt ticket are given to the passengers now.
Downunderdude 2 years ago
In Australia, if your passenger doesn't wear a seat belt, YOU are the one that gets the fine. And it's a few hundred dollars, I think.
Marno C. 2 years ago
I am calling shenanigans on this story of the uncle dying BECAUSE of his seatbelt. The ONLY scenarios I can envision are some immenint disaster like the car is on fire or train was coming for them and uncle just couldn't figure out how to work the buckle OR uncle wasn't wearing the belt properly -- had it set waaaayyy too loose -- and that is what twisted him up. Still, those are pretty far-fetched scenarios that would mostly be the uncle's fault and doesn't compare the the sheer magnitudes of deaths and injuries caused by non-belt wearers. I think this girl just didn't want to wear a seatbelt and made the whole thing up although there is really no way for OP to politely challenge that.
Terka Červeňáková 2 years ago
Not to mention that if accifent happened, pasanger without seatbelt could quite easily became projectile flying through the car, hurting others. In this case, if something hit them from the right, the friend could hurt the driver by being thrown at her... Considerable amount of injuries during accidents are caused by flying objects in the car (water bottles, walets, phones, books....)
Angie Falzarano 1 month ago
its a law. nta. because if you got in a wreck shed be sure to blame her injuries on you
Nancy Lynch 2 years ago
The photo that was used for the story shows the person sitting on the left is not wearing a seat belt. She doesn't look like she's going to either. The person on the right is grudgingly putting one on. At least find a photo that fits the story better.
Sheena Leversedge Wood 2 years ago
in the UK, the driver can be fined if passengers aren't wearing a seatbelt. it's not reasonable to expect to not wear a seatbelt in someone else's car. if you're driving, that's on you, but it's still stupid. I can't imagine not putting my seatbelt on automatically as soon as I sit in a car seat. it's an instinctive thing I don't even think about
Helen Taylor 2 years ago
NTA. For one thing, there is the guilt you would feel if she were harmed without a seatbelt. For another, there can be legal repercussions. It is illegal to drive with passengers unbelted, particularly children or front seat passengers. My mother wants survived an accident because she was not wearing a seatbelt. However, this is very, very rare. Your friend needs to see a counselor.
Janelle Collard 2 years ago
My cousin hit a tree cuz he went around a corner too fast (in a convertible.) This was before seat belts +shoulder harnesses.
HappySquirrel 2 years ago
OP absolutely had every right to insist on the friend wearing a seat belt, regardless of her "trauma". If you are the driver and the passenger doesn't buckle up, YOU and your insurance are responsible for their injuries/death in the event of an accident. I found this out the hard way when an idiot in my car told me they had buckled up (but didn't) and we got into a serious accident about 10 minutes later. They were not seriously injured, but acted like they were so they could sue my insurance company. There was a TON of proof that they were faking the injuries/pain they were experiencing - photos & video of them doing things they shouldn't have been able to do if they were so badly hurt. The claim adjuster on my end even agreed it was a fraudulent claim. They got an ambulance-chaser attorney & sued for the max allowed under my policy ($50k) - and won, because my insurance didn't want to fight them in court. It was easier just to pay it out.
ADJ 2 years ago
My brother in law is a police photographer, kind of CSI you may say... He take photos of these morons found up to 40 meters from the car. Broken bones, pieces of skin torn when sliding across pavcement, lost limbs... Terrifying. Amount of people killed because of not wearing seatbelt is not even comparable to these killed by wearing seatbelts. Reese is so wrong.
Surfin' Cat 2 years ago
You don't need an accident to get injured without wearing a seat belt. Someone running through the road not watching, a sudden breaking. And you become the accident...
Jennifer Albritton 2 years ago
I'm the same, if you're in my car you're wearing a seatbelt. The car won't move until you put it on.
Hey! 2 years ago
A few rules we told our children when they started visiting friends or places with friends: 1. One seatbelt per person 2. The driver didn't drink 3. No missing seatbelt for anyone in the car 4. Everyone is belted → If this is not happening, get out (or never get in) and call us, whatever the time wherever you are. NTA OP. Good job. Ditch the "friend".
DarkViolet 2 years ago
Kudos to OP for not giving in to the little brat. If Reese is so gung-ho about not wearing a seat belt, she can ride the bus. Then she can experience the freedom of being unrestrained, especially if the bus driver gets cut off by some lugnut in a Lexus. Think of all that she'll have to look forward to: maxofacial(sp) injuries from slamming face-first into the headrest; concussion/brain injury/broken neck from a side-impact collision; punctured lung from a broken rib; mass internal bleeding from any of her ruptured organs. Gee, sounds like fun. 😟
DarkViolet 2 years ago
NTA. Reading this story makes me want to roll up my pantlegs, pull on some Wellingtons, and start shoveling, the bullsh!t's piled so high. Reese's story about her uncle is literally, unbelievable; a 10-year-old could lie with more finesse. To the best of my knowledge, I have yet to read or hear about anyone dying in a car crash because they WERE wearing their seat belt. Reese sounds awfully entitled, and not used to having to follow someone else's instructions or being told NO. Had she gotten that job, she would have been a real peach to work with /s.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
so... in the UK, and most of Europe, iirc, wearing a seatbelt is the law, and you can be fined for not wearing it. :)
over it already 2 years ago
Her story about her uncle doesn't seem particularly believable, but it's still no excuse. My sister died in a crash where the only survivor was able to live because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt (not saying sis would've lived without it on, but the belt kept my sis & other passenger upright in the seat when the roof crushed in.) I still wear my seatbelt because science. And law, but mostly science.
Seadog 2 years ago
YTA. While I agree, your car, your rules, it's childish to demand an adult to do something they have good reason for opposing. I too do not belt up. Why? Because my son is alive today because he wasn't wearing and we had removed the airbag, either would've killed him per State police3 investigation. I'm alive because I wasn't wearing (different wreck). Side collision so belt would've had no effect except had I been wearing it would have cut me in half as the mounting point was pushed in and back 18 inches. I've also had a broken shoulder and the pressure of a shoulder strap causes me great pain. The claim seat belts save lives is a lie. They CAN save lives. They are also equally likely to kill or maim. You will never see the stats showing how many people are killed or injured by them because it will prove how ineffective they are. As for OP, I know of no state that charges the driver if the passenger is an adult. Only the passenger can be charged in that case.
Brenda Wallace 2 years ago
Technically is often wrong. I saw the aftermath of a not high speed crash. Car t-boned another at an intersection. Both driver and passenger went headfirst through the windshield, leaving their faces in the car. Both lived. Now maybe faces could have been reattached, not then. I wouldn’t have wanted to survive. Neither wore a seatbelt. Probably drunk or high. Backseat was covered in , they said, about a ton of loose change. They had been busting into vending machines all night. They were left with (of course) no skin, but no eyes, cheekbones, noses, lips, or chins. I always wear a seatbelt.
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