Many drivers think that the laws that make it compulsory to use a seat belt are an intrusion into their private lives – a denial of an autonomous lifestyle choice. But state intervention in our freedom is justified when, because of our short-sightedness, impulsiveness or carelessness, we act in a way that actually or potentially restricts our freedom – especially when dangerous and irreversible consequences are involved. In those cases, the law should protect our future selves from the short-sighted and foolish choices of our earlier selves. It should require us to act in the way that we would act if we carefully took into account our long-term welfare. The legal requirement to wear a seat belt is thus a protection of drivers' freedom and future selves.