Seatbelt Safety Analogy
Debates using seatbelts as an analogy for mandatory safety measures like masks, discussing benefits, rare harms, personal freedom, and why such precautions are enforced despite inconveniences.
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You're could use this argument to explain away seatbelts in cars
Isn't that what seatbelts are for?
Hence the comment about seatbelts.
that's like saying cars shouldn't have seatbelts, they should be designed to not be in accidents in the first place
So it's basically like seatbelt use. There are certain types of crashes where a seatbelt could cause more harm than good (such as crashing into a lake, the seatbelt gets stuck, and the victim can't get out). However these are rare enough, that the benefits of seatbelts far outweigh the risk, that most people decide to wear them (including the benefit of not getting a seatbelt violation ticket).
Can't that be seen as an argument against seatbelts and airbags as well?
Not wearing seatbelts is preposterous.
Why do you think seat belts are mandatory? Apply the same reasoning to your question.
Who am I endangering by driving without a seatbelt?
For the same reason you wear a seatbelt and not a 7-point crash harness.