I thought he looked a little young...then again im 23 and i get called 18 all the time...so yea. I was not trying to make it this big of a deal, it has just become this.  

child labor, no seat belts..  you guys just laugh at the law, don't ya.

being 23 but seen as 18 could be worse.. could go the other way.  everyone thinks I'm in my late 30's easy, and I'm only 32.  getting carded is a joy for me.

well said.  

I am 33 and I still get i.d'd every now and then!! Dumbasses at the beer store LOL..............MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm beeeerrrr come to think of it I need to go.... (and no I am not drinkin and driving)  

two things to consider. this coming from a cop (me).

we are in a society blanketed by lawsuits over everything. my personal opinion is that if you want to take a joyride up a trail (or road) with no seatbelt on, you are taking the risks. The difference is, that when you take insurance into account, we all take the hit. Rates increase as the inflated medical bills of others get larger. This is a big thing with ABATE, the thing about getting helmet laws laxed into the option of the rider if over 18 or 21 or something. I have been licensed for cars and bikes since 16, and I will never get behind the wheel without buckling up, and never ride a bike without a helmet.

I have seen both sides where a driver gets ejected and breaks a colarbone, and the car is demolished. THAT is luck. Wearing the seatbelt in a standard collision will reduce injuries, and increase chances of survival in serious accident. It also enables you to remain seated and maintain control. There is a video floating around the web of the cab driver that wasn't wearing a seatbelt. he falls asleep, goes onto the shoulder, looses control, gets tossed inside the car... and when the car comes to rest, he is partially ejected with his head sticking out the right rear window... and possibly with the car resting on his melon.

I make this argument. If you want to go bouncing around in the cab, go right ahead. You should really check into your medical insurance. If you are involved in a collision and you are found NOT to be wearing your seatbelt, you deductible can increase to over $1000... on that ONE claim. Wearing a seatbelt is far more safe than not wearing one. Besides that fact, it is only against the law to operate a motorvehicle ON THE ROADWAYS without wearing your seatbelt. It is often not against the law to go witout the belt offroad. It just isn't safe. In my eyes, you can't justify how it would be safe to not be belted in while offroad. The rollovers are usually slow enough that you would find yourelf between the cage and the ground.

Now. The underage thing. In most states, it is NOT against the law for an unlicensed person to drive ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I first toaght my teens to drive in a field at my inlaws before they got their learners permits. I don't fault JP for the pic. As a ZJ owner myself, and one that has been bitchin about some ZJ ink, i was happy to see that article.

Guys, keep up the good work with the mag. Also, I'd like to mention. Since JP has been pimping Quadratec lately with their purchases, I'd like to point something out. I started up a thread on the Quadratec BB, Off Topic forum. The thread is titled "Find Your State Laws". You want to know about your state laws, check it out. You may find out some stuff you had no idea existed.

C-ya!  b1pig

I love the ZJ ink time alot also, ive been waitin for it, i started this topic just as a way to point out a oversite is all, and not to trash the ZJs. Its more the driver i was bad mouthing. Here in Washington, any forrest road, at least national forrest, the jeep must be street legal and the drive have a valid drivers license. Seat belt laws still applie to the trails around here, unless on private property, as the Jeep trails are considered "high clearance roads"...  

Good point. Another is that any lifted ring is more likely to roll over so safty first!  

All this talk about safety is BORING- if you weren't looking for excitment you'd be riding the bus instead of going offroad. white knuckle time sure belt up, just puttering around fire roads? she-it! I'm 55 and I remember how much fun it was when my father sat me on his lap in his big ass  55 Buick Century and "let me help drive". Too many rules and regulations nowadays, ooh we need laws to make us safe- instead of using common sense. And I might get you mad, but I'm real tired of logging on and seeing 96zj and his buddy trying to dominate the boards with drivel. lighten up already!!!

Ok first off...I really dont care if people belt up or not, second off, this has GONE way father then i thought it was. It was ment as a way to bring a SLIGHT oversite to attention, not make it this huge DEBATE like it has... Second Off, 96 and i happen to only dominate one part of this besides this topic and its the "new ZJ...." and thats prolly cuz we are, or at least seem like it the only 2 people on here with ZJs and we communicate our different opinions on that. If i could get rid of this topic thing here, i would as its gone way more then i ever thought it would. So, im tired of every one beating this dead horse, so lets just let this forum die right here and right now... Thanks  

i wouldn't delete the topic. it serves a purpose. opinions are like booties. everybody has one and they tend to stink. i think that since it was something you noticed in the magazine, then i'm glad you brought it up. I for one, missed that. i was busy checking flex, clearance, steering angles and such. i get tired of looking to see if someone has a seatbelt on or not. ;-)

it isn't controversial in my view. it's a fact of law, and it's one (of many) that some people can't stand.

drive on, brother! :-)

I only noticed it cuz i have a ZJ and i was lookin really close at it and my GF also some what pointed it out to me... Thanks for your support, happy wheelin to you.  

"96-zj and his buddy trying to dominate the board" LOL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

If "my buddy" wants to be my friend then I would be more then honored.........JEEP ON!

I think Nitejohn is a lil jelous of us. Last time i checked, only thing we are dominating around here is that ZJ thread you started...as this one here is pretty broad on contributors...  

Good point......(oh no there I go again takeing over!! LOL)  

OHHHH NO!!!! I better report you to the play ground police that you're being a bully...