Why? Why have a seatbelt law? To save lives of course...that's what the article says, at least. But under what authority does the heavy hand of government get to 'protect' me from myself?
One answer to the question may lie in the additional medical costs I may cost the government, if injured...and the exact same logic can be used to ban soda pop...its the logical outcome of socialism - conform or be penalized, for the public good.
Another answer may lie in some percieved safety hazard to crews trying to rescue me after a crash...of course the same logic could be used to allow the fire department to inspect your home for clutter.
Honestly, I see no real legitimate answer. And, this isn't meant to be an anti enforcement screed (I'll pay my fine). I'm just astonished at how easily these seatbelt laws have been enacted, in 32 states....'for the children'...or 'to save lives'. I think it definitely lets the camel's nose under the tent, and leaves very little 'off limits', as long as it 'saves lives'.
One other aspectof the story I love - the police in Kansas can only enforce this law, with a 'grant' to pay for OT. Same goes for DUI checkpoints. The law saves lives of course, but its only worth enforcing if we get OT?!? That has always puzzled me.
Welcome to the Nannystate
The entire camel is in the friggin tent!!
I'm so sick and tired of these police state intimidation campaigns every single holiday. It's doubtful any of this stuff actually saves anyone and even if it does the loss of liberty is NOT worth it. Wake up people. Out of control government power has killed more people than all the accidents since the beginning of time.
Every year about this time the Seat belt Nazi’s and the Radar gun Fascists hit the streets to make asses of themselves, and collect a few sheckles from the citizens.
It isn’t quite so bad as the speed camera’s in DC, but it is a pain in the butt.
Remember, it isn’t for your safety, it’s for the money.
When you look at it that way it is easier to understand.
Pssst - they are surfing for DUI and drugs. The police don’t care about you $10 ticket - they want to smell your breath and search your car.
You have got to be kidding. Apparently you haven't had to 'pay' your ticket yet.
Secondly, it is an invalid law on the federal level because the federal government's power is expressly limited by the Constitution. Nowhere does the Constitution allow the federal government this power.
Thirdly, although it is bad law, the only possible validity to a law like this would be on the state level. The states of course are driven by the people of the state who can change legislatures and vote directly for propositions and state constitutional amendments. If the people themselves vote to have their own liberties curtailed, I suppose it's OK except even though it is still bad law for the minority who want to keep their valid liberties.
Yea, its pretty much about the grant money, I’m sure. Though I am surprised about it only being a $10 fee. Texas can be up to $200, plus court costs, and you might have to take a safety course focusing on seat belts. Complete Bullshit.
There ... fixed it
I got a ticket here in Jupiter last year (1000 feet from my office) and the fine was $125. No moving violation, no expired tags. Pulled for not wearing a seat belt. I was told it was part of “click it or ticket”.
If it’s $10 today, it will be $125 in a few years I’m sure.
$10.... In Texas the adult fine runs from $150 for non commercial and $210 for commercial, Child, $125 and 2nd offense $225.
Police is there for what? To think for people? To serve the benefit of the insurance companies? To enforce laws that feel our sound good to the majority? Police- there to chase every trendy fad that the masses focus in on for that day?
20% of all gay/homosexual men in urban area's are either HIV or AIDS positive. Sounds like that's risky/dangerous behavior as well! Are we now going to require gays to pay more for their health care like we do smokers?
There is no consistency in this nation anymore and reason loses out to emotions every time (global warming, ozone hole, no cell phones in school zones...) The outcome will be bad.
Does Kansas think school buses can’t possibly have accidents? (seat belts).
The cop creates a much larger hazard by pulling someone over for no real reason, what with the distrcting flashing lights, the slowing traffic and resulting congestion, than whatever minor “hazard” the person not wearing the seatbelt might have represented.
A $10. government fine in Kansas?
Bet the rent, it will be over $150. soon.
Then the insurance companies who are paying off the politicians, will get their piece of ya.
Since this is all about safety, I think cops who are occasionally involved in pursuits, should be made to wear helmets while driving...You know, for their own safety.
I only wear seatbelts when the roads are icy or vision is restricted. I will wear seatbelts only when the word “liberty” is expunged from our state and federal constitutions. I endanger no one by not wearing my belt, what right does the state have to dictate what I wear? and what about “equal protection under the law”? Motorcyclists don’t need to wear them. When I inevitably get my ticket and don’t pay the fine they will jail me for not paying a fine as opposed to not wearing a seatbelt. So be it. “Oh, but if you get hurt then the state may be required to pay for your hospitalization!” That’s a problem with socialism, not liberty.
Ok, let’s talk about more than just seatbelt laws...let’s add motorcycle helmet laws to the equation. In many states motorcycle helmets are not mandatory, especially for adults. Kansas is one of those states. Why the descrepency? Why is wearing a seatbelt more important than wearing a helmet? In states like Kansas where the helmet is optional, why not seatbelts optional?
Here are the motorcycle helmet laws by state...
State Motorcycle law
Alabama - all riders
Alaska - 17 and younger
Arizona - 17 and younger
Arkansas - 20 and younger
California - all riders
Colorado - 17 and younger drivers and passengers
Connecticut - 17 and younger
Delaware - 18 and younger
District of Columbia - all riders
Florida - 20 and younger
Georgia - all riders
Hawaii - 17 and younger
Idaho - 17 and younger
Illinois - no law
Indiana - 17 and younger
Iowa - no law
Kansas - 17 and younger
Kentucky - 20 and younger
Louisiana - all riders
Maine - 17 and younger
Maryland - all riders
Massachusetts - all riders
Michigan - all riders
Minnesota - 17 and younger
Mississippi - all riders
Missouri - all riders
Montana - 17 and younger
Nebraska - all riders
Nevada - all riders
New Hampshire - no law
New Jersey - all riders
New Mexico - 17 and younger
New York - all riders
North Carolina - all riders
North Dakota - 17 and younger
Ohio - 17 and younger
Oklahoma - 17 and younger
Oregon - all riders
Pennsylvania - 20 and younger
Rhode Island - 20 and younger
South Carolina - 20 and younger
South Dakota - 17 and younger
Tennessee - all riders
Texas - 20 and younger
Utah - 17 and younger
Vermont - all riders
Virginia - all riders
Washington - all riders
West Virginia - all riders
Wisconsin - 17 and younger
Wyoming - 17 and younger
We have a deluge of ads in North Carolina warning that troopers are watching for people driving without seat belts and they will stop you and ticket you.
We were promised that the seat belt laws would only be applicable for drivers stopped for other infractions.
The state lied to us yet again.
Couple of things I hope folks will mull over about the seatbelts.
If you have a traffic accident that causes your vehicle to roll, and you aren’t belted in, you stand a much greater chance of being ejected, and with that a much greater chance of dying. A fatality on the highway can and will shut it down for hours, thus delaying THOUSANDS of other motorists from their daily pursuits. It is also very expensive to investigate.
Further, if you are unbelted and you roll the car with others inside it, you in essence become a projectile of sorts, tumbling around in the interior of your car, smashing against anything and anyone.