Full Idea
The appeal to autonomy has much more force where the person's decision is of great importance to them (as in suicide), than it has when it concerns a lesser decision (such as whether to wear a seatbelt).
Gist of Idea
Autonomy seems to acquire greater weight when the decision is more important to a person
Source
Jonathan Glover (Causing Death and Saving Lives [1977], §13.5)
Book Reference
Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.181
A Reaction
This is presumably uncontroversial. Planning regulations show the intrusiveness on an individual is crucial. I trim your hedge, or your hair, or your tonsils, or your beliefs…