Important Information For Those Who Drive On Property

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay folks, with the busy summer season coming along, I thought I'd toss out a few things...

Both Orange County Sherrif's Dept and Florida Highway Patrol have been patroling Disney Property lately... The can and WILL pull you over... and then can and WILL ticket you for violations. Please make sure to buckle up, and follow all speed limits.

May 19th-June 1st will be "Click It or Ticket"... basically, zero-tolerance for those who do not buckle up. The following is an excerpt from some of Florida's websites to help clarify this for you.

===============

The biggest and most publicized safety belt enforcement wave of the year, Click It or Ticket, will be conducted from May 19th to June 1st, around the Memorial Day holiday. The campaign will be supported by a full two weeks of paid advertising, featuring law enforcement officers from across the state and families who have been personally affected by traffic crashes. The message for this year’s campaign is the constant theme of Buckle Up Florida: wearing safety belts is not only the smart thing to do; it’s also the law.



What Florida Law says about Buckling Up

• All front seat occupants must buckle up, even if the vehicle is equipped with an air bag.
• It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Florida unless each passenger of the vehicle under the age of 18 years old is restrained by a safety belt or child restraint device pursuant to Florida Statute 316.613.
• It is unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older to be a passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by a safety belt when the vehicle is in motion.
• The law applies to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida's roads.
• The cost to a violator will be a minimum of $30.00 plus $6.00 court costs.
• All passengers under the age of 18 must use a seat belt while riding anywhere in the vehicle.
• Remember, Safety Belts won't work unless you use them!

What Florida Law says about Child Restraint Requirements

• All children under the age of 18 must be buckled up while riding in any car, pickup truck, or van on Florida's roads, no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle.
• Children through the age of 3 must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.
• Children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.
• Drivers are responsible for buckling up the child.
• The cost to a violator will be a minimum of $60.00 plus $10.00 court costs.

http://www.buckleupflorida.com/main.htm
http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/Floridalaw/fllaw.html


(To the board moderators... yes, I know this isn't a "Resort" specific topic, but, I wanted it to get maximum exposure on this important safety topic.)

 

[Simba's Mom]

As one who'll be there during that time, and with a car, thanks for the reminder, Chip 'n Dale.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

As someone who always buckles up I never worry about these types of things, but my DH has to be reminded all the time to "buckle up." You think he would learn! He's been pulled over twice for not having his seat belt on, and fines in NY are even greater than FL. Thanks for the heads up Chip 'n Dale Express! Kathy

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Thanks for the heads up. We won't be there until July, but a reminder to slow it down and buckle up never hurts! The police are doing a similar program here in KC for those dates as well to ticket seat belt offenders. Of course here it is only a $20 fine AND you have to be pulled over for another offense before you can be ticketed, so there are still many around here who don't buckle up.

 

[alien]

Thank you for the info - I have another question about car seats. I see that it goes by ages but does it also go by weight? I have a 7 YO that weighs just a little over 40 pounds (very petite girl). Will she need a car seat or just a seat belt?
Thanks!

 

[cindala]

Thanks for the tip! We most always buckle up, but I'll make sure we all definitely do!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by alien
Thank you for the info - I have another question about car seats. I see that it goes by ages but does it also go by weight? I have a 7 YO that weighs just a little over 40 pounds (very petite girl). Will she need a car seat or just a seat belt?
Thanks!

Perhaps someone with more experience in the matter can chime in... but from what I can tell, the law is based on age, not size. I would recommend using your best judgement... whatever you feel is safest (while remaining legal).

 

[dahess]

Thanks for the info Tyler

 

[Janet2k]

Alien, here is what the Florida Highway Patrol website has to say about child restraint requirements:

- - - - - - -
What Florida Law says about...

Child Restraint Requirements:

All children under the age of 18 must be buckled up while riding in any car, pickup truck, or van on Florida's roads, no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle.

Children through the age of 3 must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.

Children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.

Drivers are responsible for buckling up the child.

The cost to a violator will be a minimum of $60.00 plus $10.00 court costs.
- - - - - - -

As a mother of a young daughter myself, I have her ride in an approved booster seat. She is much safer that way, and I feel better knowing that I am doing what is best for her safety (and my peace of mind). By the way, I just found an "Action Line" topic in the Miami Herald newspaper regarding this very topic: click here for Miami Herald "Action Line" item.

This is all my humble opinion and only you can ultimately decide what is right for your own situation.

 

[Janet2k]

Chip 'n Dale Express, I always enjoy your postings. Thanks so much for keeping us informed, and for looking out for everyone's safety.

 

[All Aboard]

Even as a Florida resident, I've never fully understood the child restraint law. It states that up to 3, the child must be in a child seat. That's simple, I understand that.

But, then it states that 4 and 5 year olds must be in EITHER a child seat OR under a seat belt. OK, I understand that, but other than a seat belt or child seat, the only other option is "loose". And we already know that is against the law, since ALL kids under 18 must be in a seat belt.

So, why the special designation for 4 and 5 year olds? Is it just suggestive? Perhaps in order to encourage parents of 4 and 5 year olds to CHOOSE a carseat? It's clear that a carseat is NOT required, since a belt is an option. Or, perhaps does it mean that the only option for a 6 year old is a seat belt? Can they NOT sit in a car seat? I have been confused by this law for years.