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Buckle Up! Florida’s Primary Seat Belt Law Now In Effect |
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Drivers on Interstate 4 have seen the roadside signs saying, “Buckle Up, It’s the Law.” As of June 30, 2009, a new law allows law enforcement officers in Florida to stop and ticket drivers and front seat passengers for the sole reason of not wearing a seat belt.
Previously, a driver could not be stopped solely for not wearing a seat belt, but could be ticketed for it if stopped for another driving infraction. Now, a law officer can stop a vehicle and ticket those not wearing a seat belt without any other reason.
In cars manufactured after 1968, drivers and front seat passengers are required by Florida law to wear a seat belt; in addition, all passengers under 18 years old must wear a seat belt or be otherwise restrained by a child car seat. The driver will receive a ticket when any minor is unbuckled in the car.
“Nothing is of greater importance than keeping Florida’s citizens and visitors safe,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist in a statement about the new safety belt law.
Primary seat belt laws have a proven track record of increasing state seat belt use rates. In 2008, the average seat belt use rate in states with primary enforcement laws was 13 percent higher than in states where drivers cannot be stopped based on non-use of seat belts in the car.
Nationally, Florida is ranked 35th in seat belt use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries, reducing the risk by 50 percent.
“Passage of this lifesaving bill has been a long time coming, but the lives that will be saved and the injuries prevented make it all worthwhile,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president of AAA Auto Club South, which has lobbied on this issue for more than 10 years.
A September 2008 study by NHTSA reports 26 states and the District of Columbia currently have primary enforcement of seat belt laws. NHTSA estimates that, with the passage of its primary seat belt law, Florida will save 124 lives, prevent 1,733 serious injuries and save $408 million in associated costs each year. |
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