TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

More than 200 motorists ticketed for seat belt violations

News Channel 8 photo by RUGENE MOORE

Deputies issued 86 citatations in two hours at Parsons Avenue and State Road 60 in Hillsborough County.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2009

Updated: 06/30/2009 06:01 pm

TAMPA - Buckle up or pay the consequences.

More than 200 motorists found that out the hard way today.

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies, out on patrol to enforce Florida's new enhanced seat belt law, wrote 203 tickets by the end of Operation Belts or El$e," Deputy Larry McKinnon said.

Some who received tickets were angry; others were blasé or thankful, Cpl. Ed Raburn said.

Deputies have been working for about a month to alert people of the new primary seat belt law. But many haven't paid attention, Raburn said.

"I hope at least these people that we touch this morning will get the message," he said during the law enforcement operation. "As it hits you in the pocketbook, it tends to make more of an impact."

The new law lets law enforcement officers pull over vehicles if they see a driver or front-seat passenger not wearing a seat belt. Before today, authorities could hand out a seat belt citation only if motorists were stopped for another moving violation.

The law says people have to wear seat belts the way they are intended to be worn. If a person has a belt that goes over the lap and shoulder but isn't wearing it properly, he can get a ticket, too, Raburn said.

Passengers younger than 18 also must wear seat belts.

Those exempt from getting citations include people certified by doctors as having medical conditions that cause the use of seat belts to be inappropriate or dangerous.

The cost for a seat belt violation is $30, but court fees could push that total to between $93 and $119, depending on the county. The fines are $101 in Hillsborough County.

One beltless driver ticketed today, Bob Clarke, called it an intrusion into his personal life and ability to make a decision.

But another man ticketed, Bilal Bell, said he understands why investigators are stopping people for not wearing seat belts.

"If it's the law, it's the law," he said. "No deviation from it."

During today's operation at the intersection, deputies made one arrest. After pulling 27-year-old Norma Garza over for driving without a seat belt, they charged her with giving a false name to law enforcement and driving with a suspended license.

Deputies during the operation also issued tickets for improper window tinting and failing to show proof of insurance.

In Hillsborough County, more than 160 people didn't wear a seat belt and died in crashes since 2004, deputies say.

Gov. Charlie Crist signed the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law last month. It is named for two teenage girls killed in accidents while not wearing seat belts.

Marchetti, a Durant High School junior, died after being ejected from a car in a crash near Tampa three years ago.

Slosberg died in a South Florida crash 13 years ago.

Florida joins 26 states that have laws for primary enforcement of safety belts.

Wisconsin recently became the 30th state to enact a primary seat belt law, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The law is expected to bring Florida millions of dollars in federal funds for statewide transportation projects and save millions more in health costs.

Similar legislation failed for nearly two decades in Florida, in part because of concerns by some minority lawmakers who feared the tougher legislation could lead to increased racial profiling by police.

News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

ADVERTISEMENT