My understanding is that seat belt law compliance (90-95%) is higher than compliance with speeding laws (minority of drivers), and speed laws are the same weight of infraction or higher than belts. Based on that, I don’t think opposition to the law is about actually wearing seatbelts, at least not anymore. Certainly open to correction, though.
The primary reason speeding is such an issue in America is because we build our roads for high speeds and then put arbitrary signs limiting that speed. Roads should be designed for the speed you want drivers to go at.
I wonder if we’re both Strong Towns readers? Agreed—-twelve foot lanes plus generous shoulders plus set-back buildings send the wrong signal.
Tying into the greater point, I think the environmental shaping by the auto manufacturers has a lot to do with the high compliance rate. A lot of work has gone into belt comfort and seatbelt detection systems are calibrated to the right amount of annoying and undergo UX/focus testing.
I haven't read it myself, but I've been watching the YT channel Not Just Bikes and he has a whole series about Strong Towns concepts. The horrifying moment I realize I've always felt isolated in my suburban neighborhood because of infinite sprawl and stroads as far as the eye can see!
