Abstract
The author outlines the development of the modern seat belt and presents statistics for the effects of seat belt usage. The case of Switzerland in particular is described, where successive introduction and repealing of seat belt legislation led to marked changes in seat belt usage and number of fatalities. The arguments against the use of seat belts are then discussed. These include injuries caused by the belt, difficulties in manoeuvring a vehicle while wearing a belt and problems of escape in the case of fire. The relative advantages of being thrown out of a car in the event of a collision, in particular the effect on pregnant women is also discussed.