Too foolish to realize that buckling up saves lives
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FRANK ZAPPA was on to something - we are “dumb all over,’’ or at least it would seem so in Massachusetts (“Bay State’s scorn for seat belts unrivaled,’’ Page A1, July 8).
In a state that is supposedly educated and enlightened, 67 percent of people wear seat belts, the lowest percentage in the country. Seven people were killed over July Fourth weekend in Massachusetts, and failure to wear seat belts was among the factors.
People you interviewed who don’t want to wear seat belts offered scary responses: You don’t need one driving in the city; they’re uncomfortable; it messes up my clothes; and, most commonly, I don’t want anyone telling me what to do.
All of these are just excuses.
A car going slowly in the city can still be involved in an accident that can flip a vehicle.
If your seat belt scratches you, readjust it or deal with it.
If it messes up your clothing, how do like the blood-stained look?
You may not want anyone telling you what to do, but if what they are telling me can prevent me from being seriously injured or killed, I’m inclined to listen.
It is unfortunate that laws must be passed to make us wear seat belts, but it clearly seems that an awful lot of people are too dumb to realize that seat belts save lives.
Richard Anthony
Lowell 
