Law enforcement agencies no longer need a reason to pull over drivers who are not buckled.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) — Florida’s new seatbelt law goes into effect today and the Florida Highway Patrol plans on enforcing the rule.
Not buckling up will cost violators a $30 ticket for first time violators.
However, court fees could push that total past $100, depending on the county. And officials say there will be no grace or warning period.
Law enforcement agencies no longer need a reason to pull over drivers who are not buckled as they did in the past. The Florida Highway Patrol even has a name for its seat belt task force – ‘Operation Belts or Else.’
Locally, troopers and sheriff’s deputies will man areas near Parsons Road and State Road 60 looking for people not strapped in. Sgt. Larry Kraus with the highway patrol said that includes drivers and passengers.
“Depending on their age,’ Kraus said. “If you’re a passenger in a vehicle you would be issued the citation not the driver.”
Officials are optimistic the new law can help avoid scenes like the crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County Monday where an 18-year-old was ejected and died after crashing his pickup truck. FHP officials said the teen was not wearing his seat belt.
“Hey people, buckle up,’ said FHP Lt. Doug Dodson. “You never know when a crash is going to happen nor will you have time to buckle up when it does.’
- As of 10 a.m., Hillsborough deputies wrote 86 tickets for non-compliance
Nearly 30 states now have a primary seat belt law. Kraus said likely all states will have one (seat belt law) soon due to the statistics showing that seat belt save lives.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the law will prevent 124 fatalities and more than 1,700 serious injuries a year in Florida and 20,000 nationwide.
No Comments Yet
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
