Miata Mailing List: May 1994, Message #49
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   From: jwa@yog-sothoth.dcrt.nih.gov (James W. Adams)
Subject: Re: Seatbelts
   Date: Tue, 3 May 1994 10:08:45 -0400

Kent Weaver epistolates:
> 
>   Question
> 
>       Has anyone ever seen any statistics on the safety of using your
>    seatbelt while convertible.  Whenever I have the top up or hardtop on
> [...]
> 
>   Answer:
> Statistics prove that it is still much safer to wear seatbelts independent 
> of the type of car.  SCCA only restricts the use of 5 point type shoulder 
> [...]

I heartily second this.  During the introduction of seatbelts, this,
along with the trapped-in-the-burning-car scenario, were two of the
chief excuses for not using belts.  Both have been repeatedly
repudiated.

Being able to recall (as a spectator!) the days when a SCCA driver's
suit consisted of an old teeshirt with a pack of smokes rolled in the
sleeve, and Formula One cars had no belts, I recall few cases where
people survived being thrown from a car at anything over 25MPH or so.
Interactions between the human body and stationary objects are
inconsistent with life at such speeds.  My own first cousin was killed
when thrown from a convertible in a minor accident at around 30 MPH.  He
was not wearing a seatbelt, and suffered massive head trauma when he
struck a telephone pole.  The driver was wearing his seatbelt and
received only minor injuries.

Please don't risk needless death.  Always use the seat belt in your
Miata.