My sister took off her seatbelt to reach in the glove compartment to get her license, WHILE the police officer was standing at her window, and he still said he was going to ticket her for not having on her seatbelt. She explained the above and he still didn't believe her. She says if ever in that situation again, she will ASK the officer if she may please unbuckle her seatbelt to be able to reach the g.c. to be sure the officer has his mind in gear before she moves.
think about an accident, what if you had to escape a burning vehicle, would they claim you didn't have your seatbelt on? ... it could happen in a courtroom ...
I don't know if the secret black box in most cars now records this or not ... I'll bet it's a possibility though, so it might offer proof ...