Hey everyone. I'm currently enrolled in a Drivers Ed course at the community school in my town and we have an assignment at hand that involves surveying drivers, sooo, i thought "hmm, why not see what my fellow hatrackers have to say". So if you'd be willing to do a little survey for me, it would do wonders. So those people of hatrack who can drive, here's a little survey....
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Why or Why not? (now i just need some statistical information) Age- Sex- Type of Car- Years Experience-
Thank you for those who did it, it's going to help me oodles and boodles. sincerely, tdp
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Why or Why not? Yes - because it's required by law and it could save my life.
28, F, sedan, 13 years experience
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
- Yes
- Because when I was 19 a girlfriend of mine made me promise to wear one when I came to visit her. Now it feels too weird to drive without one on.
- 37
- F
- Brown
- 22
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
Yes Habit- I have always worn my seatbelt since I can remember. 26 Female Toyota Corrola Driving since 16 so ten years
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Do you always wear your seatbelt? Why or Why not? Yes - because it's required by law and it could save my life.
Precisely.
32, F, Honda Odyssey, 16
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I always wear a seatbelt in a car.
It is just the way I was trained as a kid and as a driver. It feels strange and insecure to be without one.
I'm 41
Female
I drive a compact sedan
I've been a driver for 25 years.
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
Yes.
1) Safety 2) It's the law 3) I've had relatives killed in a car wreck when they weren't wearing their seat belts, but they probably wouldn't even have been badly injured if they had been wearing them.
Age - 50
Gender - Female
Type of car - Buick Regal
Years Experience - 34
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt?--Yes Why or Why not?--To save my life, (if I didn't my wife would kill me). Really, its one of those DUH DON'T BE STUPID things. Age-42 Sex-M Type of Car-Saturn Wagon Years Experience- 26
Posted by BaoQingTian (Member # 8775) on :
*Yes, in my car (obviously it's not an option on the motorcycle that I ride 90% of the time)
*My father's a police officer so I had the necessity of safety devices reinforced ever since I can remember. I can't say it's the law, because I would wear one even if it was not the law.
*26 *Male *Pontiac Grand Am GT *Driving since 15 -> 11 years
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Its safer that way. (I kept flip floping on saying its more safe, and less dangerous.) Guess thats sorta like the glass is half empty/full
Age-24 Sex-Male Type of Car-2000 VW Passat (DONT BUY VW! THEY BREAK DOWN ALOT AFTER 6 YEARS!) Years Experience-8 years
Thank you for those who did it, it's going to help me oodles and boodles. sincerely, tdp
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
Yes
Always have with few exceptions (i.e. in cars without seatbelts or when in a minivan with sixteen other people)
Male
17
I don't drive myself, so the car varries with who ever is driving (usualy a Toyota 4-Runner, a Subaru Outback or A Ford Mustang, since my friend with the TrailBlazer moved away.)
Like I said, I don't drive. I have not been driving for seventeen years.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
Yes. I was raised wearing it, but also, I understand the importance of wearing one- no one rides in my car without putting their seatbelt on.
I'm 18, female, drive a 2004 Honda Accord SE, and have two years experience.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
Yes, I always wear it, for pretty much the same reason as Tante. 27, Female, Mercury Topaz, 3 years experience
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
I'm not sure your survey is going to give the most well-rounded results--examine them carefully in your analysis.
Do you always wear your seatbelt? No.
Why or Why not?
When I drive, I always wear it, out of habit. It also seems to lend confidence and security. When I'm riding along with someone, however, I'm much less likely to wear it. Don't know why.
Age - 20 Sex - Male Type of Car - 1998 Hyundai Accent (currently broke down halfway across the country... roadtrip gone awry).
Years experience - 4.5
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Yes. 1) Safety 2) It's the law 3) To role model for kids
F, 36, 2003 Saturn Ion, 19 yrs experience.
----
TDP: your survey will suffer from both non-response and response bias. That is, most people are not going to answer that they don't wear a seatbelt, especially not in a public forum where many of us know each other, or they might lie. There's not a lot you can do about it with this survey design, but just be aware of it
Edited to add:
quote:Originally posted by Fusiachi: I'm not sure your survey is going to give the most well-rounded results--examine them carefully in your analysis.
Exactly. (Although note that Fusiachi was willing to be frank about not using it sometimes.)
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I always wear a seatbelt, and always require that all passengers in my car wear one also.
When I was growing up, seatbelt use was not common. My first car when I was a teen did not have functional seatbelts, and I thought nothing of it and no one ever commented on it. I'm a little amazed that my mother allowed me to drive it, looking back but her car didn't have working seatbelts either.
When I got married and started my family, I got into the habit of wearing seatbelts and I feel naked without one now - when I'm on a bus for example.
I'm over 40, F, have more than 25 years driving experience and drive a compact car (and if I have anything to say about it I will never again drive a minivan or an SUV).
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt?Yes
Why? It could potentially save my life, at very little inconvenience to me. I do know that I could get pulled over and ticketed in my state if I get caught not wearing one, and this would probably be enough to convince me even if I didn't already want to wear one because of the safety benefits. Since the safety benefits are enough to convince me, this doesn't really factor into my thought process.
Age- 25 Sex- M Type of Car- Pontiac Sunfire Years Experience- 8 Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I always wear a seatbelt
1. Safety 2. Habit
I'm 44 and female. I've been driving for 28 years. I drive a 1997 Saturn wagon.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Somebody should measure the average age of Hatrackers, I'd be interested in seeing it. This forum more then most I've been to have a slightly older demographs.
But I'm just one man, with one experience.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Habit. I didn't grow up wearing a seatbelt all the time, but by the time I started driving it was the law and just was not hard to do.
44, F, Chevy Lumina, 23
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
1) No. 2) Don't like to wear them. 3) 31, Male, '95 Geo Prizm Lsi, 15 yrs.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes.
Why or Why not? Well, it seems pretty lame not to when such a small thing can save your life. I don't remember ever not wearing it; when I was growing up, my mom didn't start the car until everyone was buckled in. We implement the same rule with our kids, even though they're not old enough to use regular seatbelts; we make sure they see us not start the car until we are buckled in.
(now i just need some statistical information) Okay.
Age- 23 Sex- F Type of Car- Toyota Corolla Years Experience- 5 (although I've got to say that I don't drive much; I hate driving, I'm horrible at it, don't do it unless I have to, and my husband has the car all day every day anyway.)
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? - 99% of the time, with the exceptions being when I'm moving the car from the garage to the pad at Dad's house or within the parking lot at the strip mall becuase I'm too lazy to walk to the other end.
Age- 33 Sex- F Type of Car- 95 Honda Civic Years Experience- I don't have enough fingers to count that and I can't take off my shoes to use my toes! LOL (seriously, about 15 years)
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
1)Sitting in the front seat = yes Sitting in the back seat = no 2)When yes: Because, as a passenger, I feel obligated to do all that I can to keep the driver from getting a ticket. If I'm driving, I don't want a ticket. When no: I dunno, I just don't think about it. Besides, I usually feel pretty safe and don't concern myself with unneccesary "what ifs".
24, Male, various, 8 years
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Yes, because it's too stupid not to.
35, female, GMC Safari, 19 years
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes. Why or Why not? I've had 'em save my life a few times. The first being when I was eight.
Age- 21. Sex- Female. Type of Car- VW Passat. Years Experience- 6 (counting my learner's).
-pH
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes. Why or Why not? Because it's foolish not to. I also wouldn't ride a roller coaster without a safety restraint.
Age- 28 Sex- M Type of Car- 2001 Saturn SL2 Years Experience- 11
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Just always have. My parents made me wear it when they taught me how to drive, and I never stopped. I've tried driving without it, and damn it feels strange.
Age- 24 Sex- Male Type of Car- 2007 Toyota Camry for a couple months, 1999 Pontiac Sunfire before that Years Experience- 7 Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yup
Why or Why not? Habit - when I was younger it used to be a race for whoever was in the car to get in, lock their door and get their seatbelt on the quickest. Plus, the thought of getting ejected from a car in an accident is pretty horrible to me.
(now for the statistical information)
Age- 26 Sex- Female Type of Car- Honda Accord Years Experience- About 10
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? No.
Why or Why not? Honestly? No real reason, I just forget to. It's not the law here, and if I remember the seat belt, I'll wear it, but I don't always remember
Age- 21 Sex- M Type of Car- 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee Years Experience- 5
Posted by socal_chic (Member # 7803) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Absolutely! It's easy and keeps me safe.
Age- 19 Sex- F Type of car- Chevy Silverado Years Experience- 4 (including w/ my permit)
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
Other factors that might prove interesting: location and level of education.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Because I have ever since I was little and it would feel weird not to. Also, I was in a car accident when I was seven and had we not been wearing them, bad things could have happened. (now i just need some statistical information) Age- 22 Sex- M Type of Car- I don't have a car, but when I drive it's a CRV or Forester Years Experience- 6
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Yes, out of habit and slightly for safety. Age - 16 Male Pontiac Grand Am 1 year and a few months if you count learner's permit, a couple of months if you don't.
Posted by Sharpie (Member # 482) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Why or Why not? Yes - safety. I'm definitely the kind to worry about the lack of them when I'm riding a bus.
40, F, Corolla, 17 years experience -- didn't start driving until I was 23.
(This would be a clever way to do A/S/L at Hatrack! )
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes in Canada, no in Sri Lanka
Why or Why not? In Canada, all cars had seat belts that worked, plus it was the law. In Sri Lanka, seat belts are not always available, and when they are, they're frequently made for petite skinny Asians, so don't fit anyone of a larger build. (No one uses seat belts here.)
(now i just need some statistical information) Age-38 Sex-F Type of Car- none at present unless you count trishaws Years Experience - driving, you mean? 24.
Posted by genius00345 (Member # 8206) on :
Yes, because its such a small thing that can do so much good.
Age- 16 (17 in 9 days!!) Sex- M Type of car- 1989 Buick Riviera Years Exp.- 1 with learner's permit, 1 with license
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
Yes Safety, I enjoy my body working properly after a crash 31 Male Mazda 6 15 yrs driving
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
Yes, habit. 34 Female Dodge Grand Caravan 20 years (including learner's permit)
Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes, if I can, especially if I'm driving, or in my own car. Then I always wear it.
Why or Why not? Because it's the law, and I don't want to fly out the window or hit the dash in a wreck. If I don't wear one, it's because I'm in someone else's car, and it's too short to get it on.
(now i just need some statistical information) Age-47 Sex-F Type of Car-86 Honda Accord Sedan or 92 Chevy Blazer Tahoe Years Experience-31 years
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
Yes. I recognize the safety rewards and it's also a habit. Not something I ever think about, I just do it.
I'm 21, F, '02 Honda Civic, 6 years experience.
Posted by TheDisgruntledPostman (Member # 7200) on :
quote:TDP: your survey will suffer from both non-response and response bias. That is, most people are not going to answer that they don't wear a seatbelt, especially not in a public forum where many of us know each other, or they might lie. There's not a lot you can do about it with this survey design, but just be aware of it
well, i know there might be some sort of bias, but, it really is no suprise that alot of people wear their seatbelts, its become a very,good, habit amongst our culture. Also, thank you everyone so much! I really appriciate everyone who has or still will submit there info. Its going to make this project a hell of alot easier.
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
I wear one, but sometimes it takes me to the end of the block to put it on (or before I'm out of the parking lot at a store).
They're safe. I'm not fond of tickets
30-F- VW Beetle, 15 years
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Yes.
When I was about 12, the laws changed so that we had to wear seatbelts. My parents forced us to do so, so I got in the habit. Because of habit, safety, and the law, I've never had a desire to not wear it.
32
M
Minivan
I've been driving for about 15 years.
Posted by libertygirl (Member # 8761) on :
Yes, when I'm driving or in the passenger seat, usually no in the back seat. Yes up front because I don't want a ticket and I don't want to be thrown threw the wind shield : ), no in the backseat because it really doesn't seem that important and its uncomfortable. Age: 16 Sex: F Type of Car: Pontiac Grand something or other Years Experience: umm 32 days. = D
Posted by libertygirl (Member # 8761) on :
quote: Yes, out of habit and slightly for safety. Age - 16 Male Pontiac Grand Am 1 year and a few months if you count learner's permit, a couple of months if you don't.
Wow same age so kind of car. lol. Just seemed weird. Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
quote:Originally posted by TheDisgruntledPostman:
quote:TDP: your survey will suffer from both non-response and response bias. That is, most people are not going to answer that they don't wear a seatbelt, especially not in a public forum where many of us know each other, or they might lie. There's not a lot you can do about it with this survey design, but just be aware of it
well, i know there might be some sort of bias, but, it really is no suprise that alot of people wear their seatbelts, its become a very,good, habit amongst our culture. Also, thank you everyone so much! I really appriciate everyone who has or still will submit there info. Its going to make this project a hell of alot easier.
Still, the percentages here are probably misleading. There are demographic groups who report less than 50% seatbelt usage. There are also groups who are well above the national average. I have a feeling that Hatrack may be above average. The percentage of "Yes" respondents so far is in around 90%, well above the national average. Somehow, you must account for this.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Fusiachi: Still, the percentages here are probably misleading. There are demographic groups who report less than 50% seatbelt usage. There are also groups who are well above the national average. I have a feeling that Hatrack may be above average. The percentage of "Yes" respondents so far is in around 90%, well above the national average. Somehow, you must account for this.
*drily
I agree, Fusiachi, but I suspect that just getting something down on paper may be more important to this cause than doing rigorous research. Which is fine as a step towards understanding what it means to do research, but hopefully TDP will use this just as one step on the steep path to learning how to do this well.
That would be cool. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:Years Experience - driving, you mean?
Naughty quid!
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
Sounds about right, CT.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
1. Yes 2. Safety and it's illegal not to. (Safety is the big one though) 3. 24 (I had to think about that one. Worrying. ) 4. F 5. Nissan Bluebird. 6. 7 years.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I don't drive, but the only time I don't wear a seatbelt is in my dad's precious toy car. 69 volkswagen convertible with no back seat seatbelts and the front ones don't work well
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
When driving, always. When riding shotgun, always. When in the backseat... not so much.
Why? Well, when there's the whole law thing, but when I'm driving it's just safer and easier. When I'm in the backseat, they often rub the wrong way, so I don't bother. I'd rather not wear a seatbelt than wear one incorrectly just for comfort's sake.
22, F, no car currently (Jeep Cherokee at home), 6+ years
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Yeah, I always wear my seatbelt. It's a combination of protecting myself and habit.
I'm 34, male, drive a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, and have been driving for 20 years.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
Yes ... except for the few minutes when I occasionally have to unbuckle to turn around and help and/or thwap a child. Why? Because it's safe. Because it's now a habit. Because it's the law. Because I want to set a good example for my kids.
Age: 34 Sex: F Type of car: Nissan Quest (minivan) Years experience: 17+
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Noemon, you're just a li'l tyke! I had no idea I outranked you by years.
*surveys you from the lofty heights of over 35
----
Edited to add: You'll find that Life has a lot of surprises in store for you. Why, when I was your age, I still believed in the manned trip to the Moon. Hah!
Whippersnappers these days ...
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
quote:Originally posted by TheDisgruntledPostman: Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Becuase I don't want to die or get a ticket. (now i just need some statistical information) Age-34 Sex-F Type of Car-Honda Civic, Dodge Caravan Years Experience-8
Thank you for those who did it, it's going to help me oodles and boodles. sincerely, tdp
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
No, not always.
I forget sometimes, but I try to most of the time. Some seatbelts don't fit me (I'm FAT), and I don't like feeling restrained.
21
M
92 Honda Accord
6 years
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Well, I don't wear one when I'm not in a car. But if I'm in a car and it's moving, yes.
Why or Why not? I grew up always wearing one. I feel extremely uncomfortable if I don't wear one. I also think that it will help protect me in case of a crash.
Age-21 Sex-F Type of Car-Honda Accord (I don't do much driving these days. I don't have a car here at school). Years Experience-5 (again, I haven't done much driving during some of those years).
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes. Why or Why not? Because it's safe, and because I'm so used to it that it feels very VERY odd not to have it on. Also, my car doesn't have airbags, so I feel much better having at least SOME protection. But I wear my seatbelt in other peoples' cars as well.
Age- 19 Sex- F Type of Car- '91 Buick Century wagon (though I don't have a car here at school) Years Experience- 3
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
Do you always where your seatbelt? If I'm driving on a street or above twenty*.
Why or Why not? I've seen what can happen if you don't.
Age - 23 Sex - M Type of Car - None currently Years of experience - 8
*That'd be miles an hour.
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
I always wear my seatbelt. It'd be a shame if I killed myself flying out the front window of my car. I'd be pretty mad at myself, and feel rather silly, too!
Age - 17 Sex - M Type of Car - Toyota pickup older than me Years of experience - about 2.5, counting learner's permit
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
quote:Years Experience - driving, you mean?
Naughty quid!
Oh, ketchupqueen, my minion, you know very well it could have meant so very very many things... Posted by BaoQingTian (Member # 8775) on :
I'd be curious how many people do it because its safe as opposed to the law. What I mean is, if the announcement was made today that it is no longer a traffic infraction to not wear a seatbelt, would you still wear it? If so, then I don't think the law really factors into your decision much.
Posted by c.t.t.n. (Member # 9509) on :
Yes, it's the law and I was taught it as a child, 31, M, 1996 Ford Explorer. Been driving for 16 years.
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
Seatbelt: Yes. Why: Instinctively at this point. Don't think about it much anymore; I feel weird *not* doing it.
Age - 35 Sex - M Type of Car - None currently, unless you count the smashed up 2000 Ford Escort in my front yard Years of experience - 20
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
Seatbelt: Yes. Why: Principals of basic physics. Objects in motion and such.
Age - 29 Sex - M Type of Car - 99 Subaru Impreza RS. Years of experience - 13
Posted by MandyM (Member # 8375) on :
Do you always wear your seatbelt? Yes Why or Why not? Well, the biggest reason is safety but even if I am just driving home from the mailbox 1/2 a block away, I will put mine back on because my car makes a horrible *bong bong bong* noise if I get above 5 miles per hour without it. I would still wear one even if it weren't against the law since it saved my husband's life when a drunk driver ran a light and slammed into his car.
Age-33 Sex-F Type of Car- Dodge Durango Years Experience- 17 years (Wow! When did I get so old?!)
Posted by Zeugma (Member # 6636) on :
Seatbelt: Always, even if like Mandy I know I'll be stopping and checking the mail on my way out and will have to take it off again in 10 seconds.
Why: I like being alive.
Age: 25 Sex: F Car: Volvo station wagon, baby! Same reason as the seatbelts. Years of experience: 10
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
Seatbelt: When I drive, my parents drive, or my friends drive, yes. When I'm in a cab, no.
Why: When I do wear it, it's out of habit. In a cab (where I feel less safe) I couldn't really tell you why I don't wear one. I just never do. Unless the cabbie's drunk.
Age: 23 Sex: F Car: The CTA, bicycle, my mom's Toyota Carolla every so often. Years Experience: 6
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
Seatbelt: when the vehicle is moving, yes, unless I'm stuck sitting in the middle of the back seat and the seatbelt is unreachably wedged in the, uh, crack of the seat cushions.
Why: because it's safer, and I like it. And habit.
I am 26, male, don't own a car or drive very often, got my license almost 9 years ago.
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