https://www.nytimes.com/1975/04/06/archives/industry-resists...
Your claims about widespread voluntary adoption appear false.
https://www.history.com/news/seat-belt-laws-resistance
> At the time, only 14 percent of Americans regularly wore seat belts, even though the federal government required lap and shoulder belts in all new cars starting in 1968.
But, as far as I can tell from the article, the industry is not fighting this regulation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_safety_in_the_U...
I don't see where that number is given in the article you referenced.
In any case, I didn't ask for a number, I asked for a percentage of people who didn't wear seat belts who suffered or caused harm because of it.
It's not hard to find. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/seat-belt-statistics/ is an example claiming 329,715.
> In any case, I didn't ask for a number, I asked for a percentage of people who didn't wear seat belts who suffered or caused harm because of it.
Yes, I did notice that, and the not so subtle sleight of hand involved in it.
If you think that was sleight of hand, we obviously have very different attitudes about risk and regulation and we probably won't be able to have a productive discussion.