This week in seat belt safety

First New Jersey's Democratic Governor John Corzine risked life and limb by going without his seat belt while riding in a speeding SUV on the Garden State Parkway. Now, in the midst of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click it or ticket" safety drive, we have more evidence that not wearing a seat belt may be something that — unfortunately — both Democrats and Republicans can actually agree on. 

As the official White House photo above shows, President George W. Bush was sighted on his Texas ranch earlier this week, chauffeuring NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in a pickup, sans belt. AP Correspondent Mark Smith commented that some reporters who travel with the president "can't ever remember seeing Bush buckle up." However, White House Spokesman Tony Snow deflected questions on the issue, saying that "it's always important to wear seat belts, especially when driving slowly on the ranch." (Seat belts are not required by law when driving on private property such as the Bush ranch.) The President, however, may not be the worst offender when it comes to seat belt abuse. This week, a panel in New Hampshire — the only state in the country that doesn't have a law requiring adult vehicle occupants to wear seat belts — recommended not passing such a statute in the state. State Senator Robert J. Letourneau, who voted against the seat belt law, commented that "we can't legislate common sense." Alas, while the rest of the country (including, we hope, certain chastened politicians) buckles up, New Hampshire may just continue to tragically embody its state motto, "Live Free or Die."

See Also:

• NHTSA: Click it or ticket
• Buckle up. Slow down. Stay safe.
• Why people don’t buckle up, and why they should
• Why Sweden rules in road safety