Night Vision Tickets

Wmal morning news ^ | june 2, 2005 | wmal

[TrailofTears]

MD State Police are using "night vision goggles" to go after seat belt violators.

[gridlock]

The Click It Or Ticket evolution of the Seat Belt laws is a great example of how government always encroaches, never retreats. At ever stage, governments promised that it would be the last step. We have gone from police considering whether or not a person was wearing a seatbelt as part of accident investigation to the point now where it is a primary, ticketable offense. Step by step.

All other traffic regs are geared toward protecting the public at large. But now, the government has finally stepped in and is insisting that they need to protect you form yourself. Look for the public acceptance of this attitude with regards to seatbelts to be used as a justification for a thousand other intrusions into our personal decision making.

After all, being a little overweight is more dangerous than driving without a seatbelt. Should that person be allowed to order that hamburger for lunch?

Smoking kills more people than driving unbelted. Should people really be allowed to smoke?

The list goes on and on...

[ex-Texan]

This is all about the money. If 40% of all drivers forget to click their seat belts, then increasing ticketing means increasing revenue for the state. Seat belt tickets are also a way to initiate stops to search automobiles. If the driver appears impaired, or nervous, the officer may begin the usual litany of questions. "Do you mind if I search your car?" . . .

[Dionysius]

Too good for 'em. Non-Sear Belt Wearers should be shot on sight (by a well-paid firing squad made up of illegal aliens).

[BlueMondaySkipper]

It might be time for you to move to Montana.

Moving to Montana Soon
Gonna Be a Dental Floss Tycoon

[BlueMondaySkipper]

I do feeding on the streets of Washington, DC...

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly does this mean??

[BlueMondaySkipper]

Never Mind. I figured it out. (Although the prhrase still seems quite odd...)

[Charles Martel]

My friend was driving an old Nash on the I-state. All the Nash had was lap belt, not a seat harness. A Utah highway patrol passed my friend, looked over , cought his eye, and stretched out his harness, telling my friend to put on his seat belt.

My friend pointed to his lap belt, accidently giving the universal sign of "BITE ME" to the UHP trooper. After the trooper stopped him, they both agreed that everything was ok.

Heh, heh...

I keep expecting to have a similar experience in my '65 Mustang. Technically, seatbelts were an option that the original owner of my car didn't purchase (I've got the original window sticker to prove it). However, most cops would probably think that's just some lame excuse. I'd probably have to fight the ticket in traffic court.

I'd really like to put in some 3-point belts; the 5-point racing harness rigs are a pain to buckle (and you can't reach forward to tune the radio!)

[sgtbono2002]

Then they should be called Highway Patrol.

[jwh_Denver]

"Is just my imagination or are the cops looking more and more for the easy "collar"?"

This crud has to be coming down from the top. I doubt any cop above the grade of Barney Fife would get off on ticketing seat beltless drivers.

[razorback-bert]

Okay, in a residential neighbor no more than a hundred feet away, I could tell, but in a commerical it was far to bright to tell.

[Squantos]

Understand......Bright city and residential lights on the horizon used to pretty much blind a user. I suppose headlights coming at me, while trying to tell if a driver was wearing a belt, would be waaaaay to hard to determine.

Guess we'll hear more about this.......:o)

Stay safe and Thanks !