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Seat Belt Violators Stand Chance Of Being Ticketed

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

PLANT CITY - Local police are joining officers around the country in making seat belt safety a high priority as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket program.

Police officers are under orders to keep an eye out for motor vehicle violations, especially involving drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts. The campaign started Monday and runs through June 1.

The annual Click It or Ticket program is a time when officers around the country show no tolerance for motorists caught in a moving violation and not wearing seat belt restraints. In Hillsborough County, a ticket for improper or no seat belt use can cost a motorist $76.50 officials said.

"This is a top priority for driving safety," Plant City police traffic Sgt. Dale Peterson said. "The numbers of lives saved by seat belts is well-documented. The law says to buckle up. We are going to enforce the law and save lives."

Peterson, a supervisor in the motorcycle traffic unit, will have four motorcycle officers and about eight patrol cars on the streets during the program.

By law, underage drivers can be pulled over and ticketed for not wearing a seat belt, even without a moving violation, Sgt. Jim Watkins said.

"Anyone under the age of 18 that is not wearing a seat belt gives the police just cause to stop the vehicle and issue the ticket," Watkins said. "We will definitely be looking. And there will be no tolerance for not wearing seat belts."

The law requires all drivers, front-seat passengers and children younger than 18 to be buckled up, Watkins said.

In 2007, Plant City police officers wrote 131 seat belt violations during the two-week Click It or Ticket campaign. They also issued nine child-restraint violations. Most of those violations were issued after motorists were stopped for speeding, driving under the influence or for underage seat belt violations.

All participating Florida law enforcement agencies are required to report seat belt citations to the state during this campaign, Watkins said.

"Seat belt use continues to climb in the state," Watkins said. "Fatalities and serious injuries are reduced by the use of restraints. But we still see over 25 percent of the drivers in our area not wearing seat belts. We hope to improve on that number."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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