YOUR COMMENTS

Way to go New Hampshire!!! I live in NC and we caved in to federal pressure to pass the manditory seat belt legislation. I stand in opposition to the seat belt law but no one in my state seems to care. Its an erosion of personal liberty and no one can see it. Next the feds will want to pass a law making us wear crash helmets or asbestos suits. Live Free or Die, I like it. Maybe I'll move up there someday.
- Lowell Rhodes, High Point, NC

To those people who believe that we pay more in insurance because of people NOT wearing their seatbelts, I ask you to check out the rates of our state versus the rates of other states in this country. And while you are at it, check out the states where car insurance is mandatory.
Don't believe the hype that seatbelts and/or mandatory insurance will reduce your insurance rates.
- Shawn Perreault, Milton, NH

Bravo New Hampshire, Bravo! I echo Evan Nappen's words, "New Hampshire says 'Stick it!'" Chris Hastings' line of thinking regarding insurance get another echo, too. Those who choose not to wear seatbelts should receive no insurance benefits, therefore those of us who choose to wear our seatbelts won't see increased rates. Now, to get the other 49 back the way they should be.
- Chad Nichols, Salt Lake City, Utah

If you have an item inyour car that is not strapped down, it will lurch forward during a quick stop. Its weight will increase exponentially with the speed in which you are travelling. In such a situation, either a passenger or a driver, your untethered body also becomes a flying missile. Be it during an accident or a quick stop, your body could be a lethal weapon against a passenger. Whose freedom are you infringing upon now?
- Marie Stanger, New Boston

Good for you N.H. I was born and rasied in NH., and I still proudly announce that I am fron N.H. A rugid individual spirit is one of the very reasons. Personal liberties out weigh the government telling us what to do. Not wearing a seatbelt does not harm other people on the road driving next to you. It is stupid not to wear one as well, but this is about where the government should stop regulating at the stake of individual's rights. Our legal system is based on precedence(s) and our law makers think the same way (unfortunately), probably because most of them are attorneys. If laws are passed in the "name of safety" (like seatbelts and motorcyle helmet laws) where will this lead 100 years from now as far as individual rights are concerned? It scares me already where were are heading as a nation with the Patriot Act and demolishing individual liberties. For the first time in over 100+ years the right of habeas corpus has been removed once one is declared a "terrorist," and the definition of a "terrorist" is very vague in the Patriot Act. It could be you next! But this is not important I guess, it only dates back to the Magna Carta!

"The best form of government is the least form of government", Ben Franklin.

Citizens of N.H. should be proud of this law being defeated. Now educate the masses on the need to wear a seat belt. Don't madate it, we have too many laws and regullations already!
- Ken Monier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Its about time that the Democrats start listening to the majority of people versus special interest groups (you know who you are). C'mon New Hampshire lawmakers, start the bill process of trying to help the state and not hinder it. Pass laws that the majority of the state wants not just the southern part of it. Lets not be like California.... Heck we're already starting to look more like Massachusetts everyday.
- Peter Hudson, Baghdad, Iraq

I've long said NH citizens are smart, educated, hard working, people who don't need the government to act like a parent. Voting down this Nanny State legislation was the right thing to do. With freedom however, comes personal responsibility so now the Legislature has an obligation to eliminate the tax burden resulting from consequences of stupid people who consciously choose to risk increased injury and possible death by not wearing their seat belts. Our right to make personal choices has been protected, so now we each must individually accept the financial and emotional consequences of our own choices. Responsible people shouldn't have to pay the price for fools. You have the right not to wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle and not to buckle a seatbelt if you don't want to. If you fail to use these safety items and get injured, it's most unfair to demand the NH taxpayers pay for an injury that could have been minimized or avoided. To keep NH free, we must accept individual responsibility.
- Joe Kenick, Stratham, NH

Click it or Ticket? New Hampshire says Stick it! NH is "the only state" which can wear a badge of honor for freedom.
- Evan Nappen, Bow

It is sad that the people for seatbelt laws seem more concerned about the bottom line. The price we ALL pay for living in a free society is we pay for other peoples mistakes. It seems that when invasion of privacy laws are forced on us two major reasons are given one is the bottom line mentality the other is if it saves one child all the inconvenience to everyone is worth it. The reality is bad things are going to happen no matter what. Look at Massachusetts they have strict gun laws and have been declared by the FBI to be the most violent state in the northeast. They have seatbelt laws and excessive cases of road rage. Lets stay Free from government intrusion.
- Dave Abbott, Stark

In Response to Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter ("For those of you who believe that requiring seatbelt use is some sort of violation of our 'Live Free or Die' culture, please ask yourself whether those words will mean the same thing to you from the seat of a wheelchair or to your family at your graveside."), she doesn't get the point. I choose to wear my seat belt and I am proud to live in a 'Live Free or Die' culture that makes that MY choice. I also choose not to jump off my roof and I don't need a law making that illegal either.
- Robert Hill, Manchester, NH

I wonder if a compromise can be reached that will allow people to choose whether to wear a seat belt without resulting in increased costs to others when they are involved in accidents.

This could be done by denying insurance payouts to accident victims who don’t use seatbelts. The reduction in claims would result in reduced premiums for all insured individuals and everyone would have the choice to buckle up or not.
- Chris Hastings, Westfield, MA

Live free or die, let's keep our state motto alive and true. Even if they were to pass a law with seatbelts there are still going to be people that are not going to wear it. for example in Massachusetts you either "click it or ticket" i see so many people still not wearing there seatbelt. same with cell phones i see people all the time on their cell phones while driving. Law or no law people are still going to talk on their cell phones while driving and not wear their seatbelts. I know so many people that have gotten pulled over that were not wearing their seatbelt and as soon as they saw the police behind them they put their seatbelt on so when the officer came to the window as far as the officer knew they were wearing their seatbelts. We are grown ups we can make our own decsions. I don't want anyone telling me that i have to wear my seatbelt or what i can and cannot do. this is not only the "live free or die" state this whole country is "the land of the FREE" lets stand up for our country and take it back.
- Danielle Adams, Londonderry, NH

I applaud the state of NH (My home town) for sticking up for our "motto" by defeating the Seat-Belt requirement for adults. We adults all support wearing seatbelts however we do not need state/fereral government politician's dictating to us. This must remain our choice!
- John D. Martel, Jacksonville, Fl.

I respectfully disagree that this is a smart decision. Am I now free to deduct from my tax and insurance bills the added costs associated with paying for persons injured because they chose not to use a seat belt?
- Jeff karlin, Deerfield

Thank you NH Senate, I was worried for a second!

Personal Freedom wins this battle at least!

LIVE FREE OR DIE
- Marc Howes, Nashua

It's about time the Demorats, and Republicans alike start listening again to the great people on New Hampshire concerning personal freedoms. Years back there was alot of controversy about wearing helmets when riding motorcycles in this state, and it all came down again to "Let Those Who Ride Decide". Thank You NH Senate.
Ron Baldasaro
- Ron Baldasaro, Londonderry

Thank God Freedom.
- Donald W. Guyer, Meredith,N.H. 03253