The Big Belt Mystery

November 6, 2006 - 9:30 PM by Sarah

DotCoDotIl Asks:

There are many strange cultural practices in Israel but one of the strangest would have to be the aversion of drivers to wearing seat-belts.

Surely when driving here is so dangerous, you wouldn’t dare be in the car without wearing one?

The biggest culprits seem to be the taxi drivers and when you spend all day behind the wheel, wouldn’t you be the most likely to belt up as opposed to the least?

I’ve seen it all. Taxi drivers who have put the belt in, except they’re sitting on top of it and taxi drivers who have inserted the belt into the clip of the seat next to them. It’s such an inconvenience?

Bizzare. Any explanations out there?

I have a better question: Why are Israelis negligent about buckling in their children? I have American immigrant friends who never participate in carpools, because the Israeli parents never buckle in the kids. As Harry points out, given how dangerous the driving here is, wouldn’t they specifically go out of their way to make sure their kids are securely fastened into the car?

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