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Today's Poll!After accident, Nixon encourages seat belt use
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Gov. Jay Nixon acknowledged Monday he wasn’t wearing a seat belt Jan. 7 when the Patrol’s Ford Crown Victoria he was riding in was hit from behind.
“I should have been (wearing it),” the governor told reporters Monday afternoon. “I was in the back seat of the car and I was reaching down to reach my briefcase — which was on the other side of the back of the car — and I just did not, at that time, have the seat belt on.”
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Comments
jeffcitygirl 2 years, 4 months ago
WHY would you want that, more reason to get pulled over? No need to leglislate adults in their cars who are not hurting anyone but themselves.
gofish 2 years, 4 months ago
The person that get's sued because you chose not to wear your seat belt gets hurt, as does everyone who pays for automobile insurance. In Missouri, the fact that you didn't wear a seat belt only reduces the liability of a defendant by a paultry 1%, even though your bad decision was the difference between walking away or being paralyzed. And if you end up paralyzed because you chose not to wear a seatbelt then the taxpayers will be supporting you through Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI. This is a much more serious issue than a traffic stop.
MK 2 years, 4 months ago
In my opinion it shouldn't matter if the other guy is at fault. They need to not be crashing into other cars and injuring them. As far as insurance costs for everyone, that's quite a slippery slope to go down. Do we now force women to get pap smears on a regular basis? Do we limit fast food or unhealthy food intake for people who have the same health insurance as we do? I understand what you are saying but I just don't buy it as an arguement to exert control of other people's choices.
rodinman 2 years, 4 months ago
No , no, no to any primary seat belt law. Wether a person wears a seat belt or not is their choice. Its use should not be mandated by law. I wear one to reduce the possibilities of severe injuries in case of an accident. In fact, my old insurance company would not pay medical costs if a seatbelt was not used.
crosswindcallingforever 2 years, 4 months ago
Pardon Me, but the way the article was written it states Nixon was riding as a passenger in the back seat of the Patrol's Crown Vic. That Patrol would be the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Why didn't the Trooper insist that his passenger be buckled in. We as driver's can be ticketed for allowing our passengers to not be buckled up by the Highway Patrol or any other Police Dept
bluesfan13 2 years, 4 months ago
Not back seat passengers.
gofish 2 years, 4 months ago
Pity the trooper on the Governor's security detail that tries to tell the head of state what to do. Instant reassignment to cow tipping detail in New Madrid County
JCLifer 2 years, 4 months ago
"Do as I say, not as I do." Seems to apply to travel, budget cuts, seatbelts, etc.
crosswindcallingforever 2 years, 4 months ago
I stand corrected. I guess after the Governor saw the need to wear one after the accident and will look to addressing the law for all passengers front and back.
gofish 2 years, 4 months ago
I sure hope so.
JCLifer 2 years, 4 months ago
It is required under state policy.
dinger 2 years, 4 months ago
He didn't violate state law but he DID violate Sate of Missouri personal policy, which as governor he sets and approves through the Office of Administration. The patrolman violated Highway Patrol personal policy by not making him buckle up and could be suspended without pay for that infraction on his part. In fact most state agencies suspend and sometimes fire employees for violation of this policy.
MK 2 years, 4 months ago
I think it just makes him look a little bit hypocritical and the fact that he tries to give some kind of weaksauce excuse about leaning to get his briefcase makes him look immature in my opinion. I personally don't believe his excuse and it seems like something you would expect to hear from a child who got their hand caught in the cookie jar, except some children would still answer honestly to their mistaken choices.
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