Seat belts, to one extent or another, as well as car seats, are legally mandated in all states of the US. But, people don't always use them, either. People have the "choice" to use them or not, legally or not. But, that choice is not well publicised.

Best wishes,
Sam Doak

---- Tina Kimmel <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> Heather wrote:
> 
> > Just as a point of info, in the UK, the legislation - almost always
> obeyed - is that seat belts must be used at all times by adults and
> children
> 
> An important reason seatbelts are required by law in many countries is the
> public COST of treating people with seatbelt-preventable injuries.
> 
> The cost of treating formula-fed infants (and the adults they become) has
> been conservatively estimated by the US General Accounting Office at $3
> billion a year in the US. This is in the same ballpark as the cost of our
> no-seatbelt-related injuries.
> 
> Tina
> 
> Tina Kimmel, PhD, MSW (Master of Social Welfare), MPH (Master of Public
> Health)
> Research Scientist for the State Maternal and Child Health Program
> Certified Lactation Educator, Mother and Grandmother
> Oakland, California
> 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome