Still Not Buckling Up, North Carolina? Darwin Award Nominees, Assemble. 🚗💀

Seat Belts Save Lives, But 7% of You Are Too Dumb to Care.

North Carolina, we need to talk. While 93% of drivers and front-seat passengers buckle up (yay, rationality!), that leaves a mind-blowing 7% of people who enjoy playing vehicular Russian roulette.

Why? Do you think seat belts cramp your vibe? Are you holding out for a cool scar from a windshield? Whatever the excuse, it’s idiotic—and deadly.

The Stats Don’t Lie, But You’re Pretending They Do

Here’s the reality: 43% of people killed in North Carolina car crashes last year weren’t wearing a seat belt. Coincidence? Hardly. Not buckling up increases your odds of dying in a crash by 50%. And if you think you're invincible, news flash: you’re not a Marvel superhero, you’re just bad at math.

Even young drivers (16–24) are leading the charge with a 94.4% seat belt usage rate. They’re TikToking their lives away, but at least they know how to stay alive in traffic. Meanwhile, you’re over there thinking, I’ll risk it. Risk what? Becoming an organ donor?

The Law Is Watching, Too

Don’t want to buckle up for safety? How about for your wallet? State law mandates seat belt use for everyone in the car, and getting caught without one will cost you $25.50 in fines, plus court fees. It’s the price of a fancy cocktail, but hey, why spend it on fun when you can give it to the DMV instead?

The Express Is Brought to You By…

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Let’s Talk Logic

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires annual seat belt surveys to save lives. North Carolina has been upward since 2014, hitting over 90% compliance. But you holdouts? You’re dragging us down with your stubborn stupidity.

Seat belts have been mandatory since 1985. That’s nearly four decades to figure this out. What’s the holdup? You’ve had enough time to “get used to it.” If a teenager with a learner’s permit can do it, so can you.

About The Queen City Express

We report on Charlotte’s stories with wit, grit, and no-nonsense—because life’s too short for fluff. (Unlike you seatbelt-less daredevils, we value life.) Head to queencityexpress.com for news, insights, and a few more insults. 🚦

Jack Beckett: caffeinated, acerbic, and allergic to stupidity since 1984. Pouring double shots of espresso and sharp takes daily. If you would like more sharp commentary, you can just hit up queencityexpress.com. ☕