"Bucket up or Pay up" - $100 fines for seatbelt violations in Michigan now. More nannystatism.

TV commercial on Pistons Basketball/TNT | 5-14-03 | Dan

[Dan from Michigan]

I just saw a commercial that caused me to vent. For all the crimes out there, who is the main target now, SEATBELT VIOLATORS. $100 for not wearing a seatbelt.

First, I always wear my seatbelt. I don't have to worry about anything on that. That's the point though.

The point is two things.
1. How am I harming anyone by not wearing a seatbelt if I make that choice? If I want to be a dummy, that's my choice.

2. Years ago when seatbelts became law, they said it would never become a primary offense to pull people over. Guess what? They LIED!

3. And now it's $100!!!!

The problem is that these insurance companies need to get kicked in the teeth a few times. These jerks the the problem with the nanny state, as well as charging a ton of money for insurance, which BTW is required by law.

What needs to be done? 1. End the requirement of insurance. If owner is at fault, either his insurance pays up or he does. If the one hit has no insurance and it is NOT his fault, use small claims court.
2. End the seatbelt law.
3. End the helmet law for motorcyclists. If insurance is no longer requirement, those against legalizing helmets do not have a valid arguement.

And no, this ain't about saving lives. That's a pile of horse manure. It's killing 2 birds with 1 stone. It's about REVENUE for governments from fines, and it's also saying "SIR! YES! SIR!" to the insurance lobbies, particulary AAA.

[Dan from Michigan]

I have to get that off my chest.

[JonathansMommie]

Thought you might like to read this

[annyokie]

We have billboards here in OK that say "click it or ticket."

[Dan from Michigan]

We do too.

[duk]

I saw the ad yesterday and feel the same. The cops have nothing better to do with their college ed/police academy training then right speeding tickets, seatbelt violations, no tag on trailer, ect. The money my little community (U.P.) spends for sheriff, city and state police is unreal.

I estimate at least 25 police officers in Alger county (4500 pop.). Three different buildings for the: sheriff, state and city, all in the same town. I don't even know how many cars, suvs, jeeps the three forces have. Payrolls, insurance, maintance, retirement plans, building expenses, ect.

And they right me up for parking on the street during the snow parking ban. By the way, there was no snow on the road, ground or even in the forecast. Go figure!

To many Barney Fifes out there.

[annyokie]

No kidding? I have always worn a seat belt and safety seated my boys. This is an invasive law that pisses me off.

[iamright]

I actually had to pay the fine in TX over 7 years ago.
Seatbelt laws $uck!

[netmilsmom]

I hate the intrusion but it was the only way to convince the hubby to spend the bucks for booster seats to 80 pounds. I have a minivan that has no headrests. I envisioned my five year old with horrible whiplash in a crash.

(Mel, my M key is going on my laptop. Sucks to be me)

[Dan from Michigan]

I would have fought that one, unless you're originally a troll.

[annyokie]

The Lion's Club will donate a car seat to you, if needs be. Pass it on.

[basil]

The fine for a "seat belt" violation in TX is now $250, according to a spot that is played ad nauseum on the radio.

[nygoose]

The same motto here in N.Y. First violation is $50.00, second is $100.00. This series continues for as long as you care to multiply

[annyokie]

Do you think (tell Hubby) that GWB hesitated to put on his shoulder harness and seatbelt? It was automatic for my husband. He never thought twice about it as a Combat Pilot.

[duk]

They issued tickets to everyone in town. The chief wrote in an editoral that he had removed "discretion" from the officers. So the city police obeyed orders and wrote dozens over several days. The cops really heard an ear full.

I told my wife that I can no longer trust the city police. They blindly followed an order. If they can't be trusted to exercise discretion in the small matters, what about the really big issues? The Nuremburg (sp?) trials were full of men singing the same tune, WE WERE JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS!!

[Dan from Michigan]

The chief

The Mayor probably wanted revenues increased.

I'm glad there's no city police where I'm at.

[buffyt]

I am sick to death of the nannystate. I grew up without seatbelts and was never injured in a car wreck without seatbelts! What about motorcycles, there are no seatbelts! And they are allowed on highways that way. SHEESH! Gov. get OUT of my Face!

[buffyt]

I haven't always worn a seatbelt. I didn't have a car with seatbelts until 1975 when I bought a Cutlass. None of the cars I drove or rode in before that had seatbelts. My college car was a 1954 Plymouth Savoy, big green round shaped car. Everyone called it "Watermelon".

[duk]

You really want to see nannystate: try building a house!

[Mark Turbo]

and it's also saying "SIR! YES! SIR!" to the insurance lobbies, particulary AAA.

Tell me about it. Every issue of AAA's michigan LIVING is guaranteed to have at least one pro-nanny state article. In the latest issue (May/June 2003), the Viewpoint ends with nagging at the legislature to lower the legal blood alcohol limit to 0.08 lest we lose federal highway funding.

[IronJack]

How am I harming anyone by not wearing a seatbelt if I make that choice?

According to the nannyists, if you incur greater harm by not wearing a seat belt, there is a cost to society from your lost productivity, your medical care, and the trauma to your family and friends. That entitles society to dictate your behavior. It's the old "No man is an island" argument.

It's all crap of course, but try convincing the soccer mom crowd of that. And don't kid yourself; there are some of those on this very forum.