In his 28 years with the Utah Highway Patrol, Lt. Lee Perry has seen a lot of carnage from crashes in which motorists weren’t wearing seat belts. One crash in 2013 really struck home: He arrived at a scene where two teen passengers in a truck had been ejected in a rollover and discovered one was the son of a family friend. Both teens died.
Perry, who is also a state representative, later met with the mothers of the two teens, who urged him to take action. He did. He sponsored a bill that would let police stop a car and ticket people solely for not wearing a seat belt — a move designed to act as a deterrent to scofflaws by increasing the chances they could get pulled over and possibly pay a $45 fine.
When his bill became law in 2015, Utah became the 34th state, along with the District of Columbia, to have a “primary seat belt,” or “click it or ticket,” enforcement law.
“I’m hoping this will not only save lives, but it will save tax dollars,” Perry, a Republican, said. “We spend a lot of money on hospital costs, and commerce gets shut down on our highways for long periods of time if we have to block them when there’s a serious accident and someone is ejected. When you start to look at the dollars and cents, it made sense.”
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11 comments:
I wear my seatbelt religiously. People are going to do it or not, a law doesn't change that.
It's such a relief to have NEWS on this blog , real news in every direction of life. Unlike the MSM who dwell on politics and politics only .I cannot watch any of the MSM anymore including FOX , it's sickening . When will they realize that there are other interesting news in the country besides politics ?
I cut the grass today and my yard looks beautiful , my wife is lovely as usual and my dog is healthy , my son is a wonderful person , my grandchildren and great grandchildren are a blessing. That's my news ! Thanks for SBY news!!
5:14 - smart folks wear them - stupid folks don't! The law just brings in money for the ticket writing district.
Another example of government overreach in laws of stupidity. Let the stupid ones die before they breed!
About 20 years ago I did not click it so got a ticket. Paid the fine and have clicked it every since. I remember when you mess with my money.
In stead of a ticket,have them sign an organ donor card.
More revenue and nothing else.
The Army beat that idea into my head 30 years ago! Always wear a seatbelt, it just makes sense and contrary to some people's belief, they are not that uncomfortable.
Revenue enhancement all in the name of safety. Like the wolf wearing sheep clothing. More evidence that the road to hell is paved with good intentions! If we have airbags, why do we even need to have a seat belt?
Doesn't make the drivers in Sussex County wise up. They are constantly being ejected and killed by not wearing their seat belts. Laws can't change stupidity, only education can do that.
why do we even need to have a seat belt?
May 2, 2017 at 9:03 AM
Let me answer that for you. It's so that you don't get ejected and killed in a rollover accident. Don't you read the newspaper reports of the people that are killed in these types of accidents right here on the Eastern Shore, mostly in Sussex County? You are just looking for an excuse for the freedom to act dangerously. Trust me, I support your right to kill yourself by disobeying common sense laws designed to protect you, but I also support the states right to fine you for trying. Your car has seat belts, why don't you want to wear them? BTW, my life has been saved by a seat belt and airbag. I wouldn't be posting this if I hadn't been wearing the seat belt. Even with those devises, I spent four days in the hospital. If I hadn't had or used them, I would have spent the day in the morgue. I guess you prefer the morgue.
I agree with you! My tires are rubber they will block everything. Apparently WE are the ONLY smart ones.
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