Click it or Ticket
 

The local news reported the next two weeks, starting tomorrow, the cops will be looking for seat belt violations. Especially pickups they said as those drivers are the biggest offenders of this asinine law. The ad said officers write tickets to save lives. Yeah, right!!

Money grab.

I've seen that ad several times this week. Who pays for that ad? I haven't noticed but I'll bet it is the gubment. Definite money grab.

Doesn't this mean that after the two weeks are up, everyone will go back to not wearing seatbelts?!? Just give em the deadline huh?

I won't wear a seatbelt. Too claustrophobic. So I have mine defeated and it just appears I am wearing it. I'm going to be especially careful to appear to wear a seatbelt the next two weeks.

I wear mine 95% of the time. Depends on where I am going. If I am running to the store, no...

What is it with these new "clever" ads the gubermont is using these days? This is an example. A couple of others I've heard lately are "Drive hammered, get nailed." and "Wanna litter? Fine."

How do you 'appear' to be wearing it?

Too bad it's a secondary violation in Nebraska, so nlm Mr. Police Officer man.

With that said, I always wear mine. I feel nekkid without it.

I wear a seatbelt because the discomfort is outweighed by the injury it can prevent.

I was coming back to Columbia from KC this evening and I get pulled over by state trooper for "speeding".

The speed limit on I-70 is 70, except when you start to get into the Columbia city limits (approx. 1/4mi from the first exit which is stadium blvd) the speed limit turns to 60. The state trooper was literally parked on the shoulder of the road not even 10ft from the 60mph speed limit sign. I saw the sign and I started to slow down not only when I saw the cop but because the speed limit had dropped 10mph and I was getting off at the exit ramp. I wasn't speeding before then either, had the cruise control on 70mph.

Cop pulls me over for going 67 in the 60mph zone. I told the officer that I was in the process of slowing down not only because of the speed limit but because I was about to get off at the Columbia exit. He was kind of a jerk and asked for the license/registration etc. Then said that I needed to slow down sooner and I just said with all due respect officer I can't go from 70 to 60mph without slowing down in the process. He went back to his car and then came back and let me go with no ticket or nothing.

This guy was a true ****in asshole. I would have fought like hell in court on this had I gotten a ticket. Cops are fuggin assholes sometimes.

I always call down to the office and try to find out when the cops day off is and get my hearing scheduled then. They ain't coming in on their day off. You can also asked for every piece of evidence about the gun he was using and liceances. Something will probably be out of date on the last time they tested the gun and you can get off.

He did let you off, though.

Shouldn't even of pulled me over in the place, let alone being parked right by where the speed limit changes just begging to get someone.

He puts on the seat belt, but instead of buckling it, he just ties it to the buckle with a low-strength rubber band.

Do you try to grab the gun and shoot them in the face or something?

Skip, just deploy your airbags and keep them inflated. No seatbelt worries!

I have it "defeated" so it won't roll back up. I just throw it over my shoulder but there is no pressure on my chest. I've been driving without one for 50 years. Fuk 'em!

My mom says she refuses to wear one because she doesn't want to get stuck in the car. I told her that, if she didn't wear one, getting stuck in the car might not be the problem. I choose to wear mine, but I can see it either way.

people need to be careful. I knew a guy who had his head tilted just slightly when a person rear ended him going 11 mph. Now the guy has pain every day and can barely move. All because some guy thought he would ride a guys ass. Put your pride aside.

Derrick Thomas is all the inspiration I need to buckle up.

I just saw the ad again. Paid for by the US Dept of Transportation. I haven't read the constitution lately but where do they get the right to waste tax money on this?

And then the cool thing is that if you get into a wreck and become a quadriplegic, you can sue the seat belt manufacturer because witnesses will think you were wearing your seat belt.

No kidding, why would they want you to stay alive when you're costing them $625/month?

Good point!

Jeebus!! I just saw the ad again. How many millions did they waste on this? I am seeing these ads on Court TV channel.

I'm not a big fan of traffic cops in this area. I got a $30 ticket for my front head light being burnt out, and I HAD THE FREAKING LIGHT SITTING IN MY FRONT SEAT. I even showed the cop, I was like here you go buddy I'm already taking care of it I just don't know how to put it in. He didn't care, he wrote me up a ticket anyway. What a bunch of crap.

What a dick. When I become a cop I wouldn't give the person that ticket if the light was sitting next to him

Public Service ads are run at no cost, sort of a part of their licencing deal. The ads you are seeing are not being paid for by the government.

Wow, that guy is a dick... I would get his name off the ticket if this was recent and go and complain...

It's all about the money.
Cops don't generate revenue cops don't get to keep their job.

I've been pulled over not less than 5 times in my life for having a tail lamp or head lamp out on my vehicle. I have never been issued a ticket. I have received a mechanical warning on a couple of occasions.

With the new modular types of lamps I keep 1 of each kind in my car. It's a small expense but I can replace them on the spot if pulled over. But since the last pull over I've started doing a "pre-flight" check before trips. It takes a few seconds which is a shorter period of time than getting pulled over.

What city did you get pulled over in?

Buckle up and don't worry about it... I honestly don't know of anyone that has an issue with wearing a seatbelt now. 10-12 years ago was a totally different story though...

I've said it before and I'll say it again - The government has no business or right (IMO) to fine me for not wearing a seatbelt. Great; they can warn me that it's safer with one on and maybe even that they'd like me to wear one, but that's it.

The only person I'm putting at risk is myself - let me make that decision. Screw big overbearing government. If they want to fine everyone for participating in risky ventures how about going into a bar and fining everyone with a beer in their hand? or everyone who's smoking? How about anybody having sex? That can lead to all sorts of deseases.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is I want minimum government interference in my life - not Big Brother looking over my shoulder for "my own good". And FYI I do wear my seatbelt. I just don't think they should be able to fine me if I choose not to. :cuss

So...would you be OK with a law that said you don't have to wear your seatbelt, but if someone hits you, they're not liable for your medical expenses since you weren't wearing it?

Exactly. There should be a box on the back of your DL that says "I refuse to buckle up, therefore I waive my right to injury claims resulting from a wreck since I am a bonehead."

Check that and then be on your merry way.

If the person that hit me was at fault (ran a light, speeding, illegal turn, ect.) then I would expect him to be responsible for my injuries whether I was wearing a belt or not. The fact that I was or wasn't wearing a seatbelt had absolutely no bearing on how the other driver was driving. If I cause an accident then it's my responsibility; whether the other driver is buckled up or not.

Perhaps you're not aware of this, but insurance companies base their rates on their losses. The more they have to pay out for injuries the more we ALL pay to insure our vehicles.

I'm well aware of it and as far as I'm concerned it doesn't change my objection to the government fining me if I'm not buckled up. The government works for the insurance companies now? Anyway I'm off to work now so we'll just agree to disagree with this law. No big deal - it's not going away anyhow. ( and I will be buckled up :p )

The insurance companies will make money regardless, it benefits US by having lower ins rates. I see it as a personal responsibility issue, and since people don't want to take the responsibility to protect themselves I don't have a problem with the gov't stepping in.

Is your mom badgirl, by any chance?

Does the government have a right to ensure I practice safe sex? or wear a life vest when I swim? should there be a law making disconnecting the battery cables on your car before performing work mandatory? what about a law that makes you use studded snow tires in the winter? ...

They should waive their rights to all medical treatment IMO. They don't wear a seatbelt, let em die on the side of the road.

DYING affects a lot more people than just yourself. It's a pretty ****in selfish thing to do to not wear a seatbelt, helmet, etc.

That is kinda funny. It's a pretty broad stereotype but i've found that most people who drive pickup's are asshole drivers. :p

Condom, life vest, drive in winter conditions w/o studded snow tires...jeeze the list could go on forever

I'm not really sure what this has to do with the issue at hand, but what the hell.

Yes, if it means my tax money has to pay for your treatment if you get an STD.

No, if you drown or blow yourself up, it probably will not affect me financially.

:hmmm:

The % chance of you dying in a car accident goes up quite a bit when not wearing a seatbelt. The other things you mentioned, not so much.

I missed where your tax dollars pay for my funeral?

So, are you saying that the only person you care about is yourself?

no my insurance does that...same way it does if I get in an accident and mangle myself

No don't get me wrong, I wear my seat belt and I always have but having the govt force me to when I see it as a choice is overly irritating to me

Of course, after your insurance company is done paying out yours and thousands of other dumbasses medical and/or funeral costs, they feel it is necessary to raise rates for ALL of us.

Is it that big of a inconvenience?

But they do that anyway you can still get hurt wearing your seatbelt and even if you are not hurt everyones rates go up when they have to pay out the nose for replacing the other persons private property that was damaged be it a car or house or ....it is like pouring a shot glass of water on a house fire BFD

So, those of you that don't think the government has a right to tell you to wear a seatbelt....if you don't have health insurance, should hospitals be able to refuse you treatment for injuries sustained that would likely have been prevented if you'd worn a seatbelt?

Just curious....:hmmm:

Yep it does, and once again, then WE ALL pay more for our insurance.

No I hate the government deciding what is best for me...if you are too dumb to wear your seatbelt you deserve what you get...if you want the government to micro-manage your life then so be it but I prefer a hands of approach....like I said where do you draw the line? Condoms? How much money could be saved by the Insurance companies each year if everyone used condoms and stopped the spread of HIV, Hep A, Hep B, Hep C, Ghonnoreah, Clamydia, Herpes, HPV, Syphillis, Genital Warts ETC ETC ETC

How much money could be saved each year by the insurance companies if people didn't get sports injuries?? OMG BAN FOOTBALL!!

Shit happens, that's why we all have insurance, but at the same time it would benefit us all to keep losses to a minimum.

But they do it anyway because #1 you are still most likely going to be hurt and #2 you still jacked up someone elses property...say you were driving you new H3 hummer and slam into a Mini Cooper @ 40 MPH which sends him flying into the front doors at 7-11 the insurance company pays out $1 million in just property damage to repair and replace what you jacked up you will most likely NEVER pay that much in CAR insurance in your life...then what happens if the guy in the Mini Cooper was wearing his seatbelt but you jacked him good he is in a coma in ICU for 5 weeks at $75,000 a day!!!! OMG ...like I said it is pouring a shot glass of water on a house fire


how much you think the insurance companies pay out in damages when there is a car chase in LA?

Wow, you're totally missing the point, and I'm running out of ways to make it. It's NOT about saving the insurance companies money, it's about saving ME money. They base their rates on what they have to pay out, therefore the less they have to pay out THE LESS THEY HAVE TO CHARGE ME.

so use a condom, wear a life vest, buy studded snow tires (car accidents in the wintertime can be prevented more often than not with the proper use of winter tires) brush your teeth twice a day...it is just frikkin riduculous

I don't consider it micromanaging when the governments wants me to do something as simple as put on a ****ing seatbelt.

Newsflash: The government does spend a significant amount of money encouraging the use of condoms.

Interesting. VERY interesting...

I know what you mean... :hmmm:

Post #58. While there are exceptions, whan it comes to major traffic accidents, generally medical expenses far outweigh property damage expenses.

Again, I don't know what that has to do with what we're talking about.

and that is the point I'm making if your don't want your medical insurance rates go up then get legislation passed to prevent unsafe sex...that is the point it costs them money (I pay a $15 co-pay and the DR charges the Insurance company $300 for my visit all because I stoinked a girl/guy without using a condom and got herpes) and now I have to go to the DR every week for a checkup WTF over? you don't think that gets passed on to you? if me being a dumbass and not wearing my seatbelt and requires me regular DR visits or even a one time emergency visit how is that different?

It's not different, I addressed that a bunch of posts ago. Maybe you'd better get some sleep. :)

Dude it comes back to the insurance company paying out more than what you pay in therefore raising everyones rates...that is what we are talking about behind this whole big stink about making wearing seatbelts a law...because it saves you money (because they pay property damage and medical expenses that far outweigh what you pay in) So here we are again medical expenses period for whatever reason be it STD's, near drowning and or actually drowning if they are successful at revival, injuries from participating in sporting activites WHATEVER are expensive and the buck is passed on to everyone if what they pay outweighs what you pay in

In the same vein the buck gets passed on to you in property damage so should we require snow tires in the winter to reduce the likelyhood of a major accident? When are they going to install seatbelts on a motorcycle?

Is it a law? Why can't they "encourage" me to wear a seatbelt?

FYP

BTW I just got done clearing a abandoned building so I'm a bit still wound up to sleep :)

Damn, talk about a bunch of crying pussies on here today ?

Cops are like referees, they can do no right. If they enforce the law as it is written, they are dicks, to some if they pull you over, they are dicks. PIGS, crummy rotten PIGS !

Does the law tell the cop to use his discretion ? Is he suppose to judge your violation on your intent ? Do referees do this in football ? Again,a cop can do no right, it's a no win situation to most of you if you get pulled over for a violation , because of your intent not to commit the violation.

As a former cop, it's tought to serve and protect and keep everybody happy, Bottom line is you can't. If it was a minor violation and I gave a warning, the violator was pissed I pulled them over. Most were happy they got a warning. To the ones I deemed that recieved a ticket, I always told the violator that I am not the judge, take it up with him.

As a person that has lived on both sides of this, it's not easy being a cop. I have recieved tickets that I deserved after my years as a police officer. FTR, I have not had one for 15 years now.....

My insurance company rewards me for a clean record too !

And again, you can't prevent everything, that's why we have insurance in the first place. But we're talking about a simple click of the seatbelt that all vehicles are equipped with, that potentially could save thousands of dollars of medical expenses. I just don't see why that is asking so much.

Because there are a large number of thick-headed mouth breathers out there that either don't understand why they should do it, or just plain don't give a shit. Why should the responsible people have to help pay for them?

Just in sticking to motorized vehicles and the medical costs associated with accidents, may I recommend we outlaw motorcycles then?

still got the flat badge? :D Er I mean Retirement badge?

Sure, why not, I don't ride one. :) I feel the same way about motorcycle drivers as automobile drivers, it's your responsibility as an operator to take the necessary precautions to prevent serious injuries. I've often wondered how many people that have the "Kill a biker, go to jail" bumper stickers on their vehicles also complain about the helmet laws.

Haven't tried it out but I imagine being in a casket on a permanent basis would be extremely claustrophobic.

You're right Roy, there is a set of people who hate cops no matter what, and will be against anything they do pretty much. Unfortunately I have encountered a few in my life and gotten my share of tickets but I was doing what they said I was doing each time.

I got a speeding ticket a while back after not having received one for 3 years or so, and I thought to myself that paying $150 for speeding every day for 3 years was not a bad deal.

Wow, I can't believe Denver Chief and I disagree so much on this topic. I too don't like being told what to do by big government, and I don't wear my seatbelt near enough, on highways I do, but riding around town or when I worked as a cop and was in a car I didn't, made it hard to get out of the car quickly. My reasoning, is not meant to be an excuse.... If I get a ticket, I'll be a big boy and accept responsibility.

Good points about the insurance, Bugeater, but it is more than that, DC - you have worked accidents, right? Think about the time difference between an accident with injuries to an accident without injuries. Liabilities with insurance companys aside, what about safety of the fire/EMS/Police working an accident, on scene longer, traffic still going by, more drivers at risk for accidents from rubber necking.

One of the main reasons we have to have stupid "click it or ticket" programs is stubborn A-holes like Skip. "I don't and I won't wear it, I'm only hurting myself" - Only, you aren't only hurting yourself! This type of thought is what puts me and other public servants at greater risks. During accidents and even where I might decide to run traffic control. If the department has a good traffic unit, they are going to work in areas of higher accident percentages. With the idea it will decrease the number of accidents.

Seat belts help save lives, yeah yeah, but more importantly it reduces your chances of being injuried, and therefore lowers the response size and time and reduces risks of injuries to the response persons, AND gets you and your broken ass vehicle off the road quicker so other drivers have less distractions and a safer driving experience.

Standing on your personal freedoms is great, if it were true, but the greater good for the greater population wins this one.