No, the bill was paid by premiums from private insurance companies or through the government programs of Medicaid and Medicare. Either way, those who don't buckle up are costing those of us who do money. The Transportation Department is pushing to get states to pass primary seat belt laws. Primary laws, currently in effect in 10 states, including Iowa, allow police to stop cars if those inside are not wearing seat belts. Most states currently have secondary seat belt laws which allow police to check seat belts only if they stop a car for another reason.
Seat belts save lives.
Several government studies, including this one prove that. Two-thirds of those killed in traffic accidents when not using seat belts could have survived if they had buckled up. Buckling up makes sense. It's also one of the easiest ways of cutting health care costs, thus saving all of us money. We encourage everyone to use their seat belts.