WHY?? (extra "?" to make the title long enough for the forum software)

Why are there so many rumors, or beliefs?, that safety features make things more dangerous?

It's possible that a feature which protects against one type of injury might make a different type worse. It's also possible that some people feel they're absolutely safe when using one such feature, that they may get careless or negligent.

What amazes me is how many stories you find floating around that seat belts, air bags, steel-toed boots, vaccines, etc. make you less rather than more safe.

Curiously the Mythbusters did a good job debunking several such claims. I vividly recall their tests of the "brace position" in airliners. the "myth" claimed the position is meant to ensure you'll die in a crash so you won't be able to sue the airline, or because a suit for death is cheaper than one for severe injury.

some people do die because of seat belts; steel toes boots do lull workers into a false sense of security, including the worker who was boasting and had a coworker drive a fork lift over his toes, only to find out he was wearing his similar appearing dress shoes.