everywhere its click it or ticket, I think.....

 

It used to be secondary in IL as well, but was changed a few years back. I am an avid seat belt wearer now after paying the $75 ticket I got a year or so ago.

 

Still secondary in PA for passenger cars. Just verified it on the net.

We don't have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws either.

 

Its primary in TN but the fine isn't all that much for the first offense. I got stopped for it and it was $10 I think for the first offense and increases for each following offense.

 

I know there is a new program out there, called click it or ticket, and the cops can pull you over just for seat belts, I know that it is going on right now because of the holiday weekend coming up. Drive safely and dont drink and drive this weekend or you may wind up in a coppers car.

 

...or worse....dead, I've seen it and it's not pretty...Dan's right, everyone be careful this weekend. NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

 

I'm from IL like Dan. They just recently changed the law to where they can pull you over for not wearing your seat belt. I got nabbed on Labor Day weekend. I saw a commercial on TV that said "click of ticket" is nationwide so I think they can pull you over in any state strictly for not wearing your seat belt. Not 100% though.

 

I agree 110% that the laws are in place to protect us and that the police are risking their lives to enforce the laws, but I don't want to get pulled over unnecessarily because a cop can't see my belt!

 

Not to be a jerk, but the comment of "If I want to risk it, so what?" makes sense until you realise that those that don't wear them that get into accidents are injured MUCH more than those that do wear belts. And then the insurance companies have to pay out that much more money. And the they pass that cost on to the rest of us. It's not a "I'm the only victim" situation.

So, I agree. Those that don't want to wear their belts, it's up to them. But they shouldn't complain about getting tickets for it (yes, I read that you DID have yours on, not slamming you personally). Primary infraction, you bet!

 

At least you were wearing it.

Been the law here for quite a while. If you're not wearing it you will be pulled over. Used to be a $50.00 fine.... more now I think. And there's an extensive add campaign on TV. these days, "Click It Or Ticket", letting everyone know.

As far as how I feel about it......and not preaching here....... the law isn't just for your own welfare, it's also for those who care about you. Unless you've lost someone who died in an accident strictly because they weren't wearing a belt, then you'll never understand the anger at such a preventable loss. And the mental trauma it causes the person in the other car as well for being involved in a death.

 

and I'm sure there is someone else here who has been ejected and miraculously lived to tell the tale...I always buckle up!

 

You're insane. The amount that insurance premiums would go up across the board in the absence of a primary (or even secondary) seatbelt law would likely be infinitesimal. The fact is, the government wants to hold our hands, tell us how to protect ourselves, and treat us like children. If we want to take a chance with our own lives, then so be it. If you really want to argue the higher injury factor, you could say that those in auto accidents not wearing a seat belt are more likely to end up dead. Then there would be no medical insurance cost. So, one could run the numbers and find out, but it is really quite disingenuous to use insurance numbers to backup a claim that the government should regulate seatbelt usage. Numbers can be manipulated to to prove anything, both sides in most cases.

I am so desperately tired of others, be it the federal or state governments, or other individuals, telling me how to protect myself from myself. We are all capable human beings able to make our own decisions, and if they harm us, so be it. Obviously there is a line to be drawn in buckling in young children, because they don't have the capability to do so themselves. But if I, as an adult, choose not to wear a seatbelt, it should be my prerogative. What's next? Is the government going to outlaw fast food to protect us from it? What about skydiving? That sure sounds dangerous. Maybe we better stop adults from doing that too. I mean, my gosh, they could hurt themselves.

Of course, we know government is not going to outlaw those things. Which leaves us with the question....why seatbelts? Ding, ding, ding. I have an answer: money. Pure and simple. So many people in the US drive, and a great number of them don't wear seatbelts. So, the states have found themselves a new revenue source. That is why we have seatbelt laws. You think the states care about our individual lives over money? Not a chance. If so, tobacco would be outlawed (mind you I think one should be able to kill themselves with tobacco as much as by not wearing a seatbelt). It's all about money. To heck with our personal liberty if there is a buck to be made.

 

Seat belt is mandatory in California. Since I always wear mine that doesn't bother me. And I've never been pulled over in my vert because a police officer didn't think I was wearing one.

 

Yesh I use the magnetic strap. I personally don't have a problem reaching my belt with a smooth down and back motion . My passengers.....that's another story.

 

Mandatory in Manitoba ...now $200 dollar fine and if you have kids in the car 6 month suspended licence .Don't even ask about drinking and driving it's more severe. :cop:

 

Same here in Louisiana.

 

Cops set up road blocks for seatbelt checks here in BC... once they see it on, they wave you past. I always wear my belt but even if I didn't, I'm sure the Poilce have better things to do with their time... you know, like catching criminals and solving crimes? I guess those are outdated concpets these days...

 

Same thing in Texas. Great revenue for them though. They hand them out left and right.

 

In Illinois they stop you for not wearing a belt. After they see you have it on they claim you put it on after they stopped you & write the ticket anyway. They also go ahead & check liscense, registration, insurance card & in my case give you a muffler ticket while you are on the way to the muffler shop! I think when they see you have it on that should be the end of it! Communists!

 

Virgina is a scarey place to drive through as far as police go. On thier highways every 3 miles it seems they have some sign telling you the ways they can pull you over.

I'm so glad they are pulling people over for seat belt violations! Soon we will all be in a bubble and no one will ever die. I wear mine but I'm sad to see another choice taken away.