New seatbelt laws for Florida

[Pegasus928]

Apologies if this has been posted already

From June 30th a new seat belt law comes into effect in Florida. From that date law enforcement officers will be able to pull over cars where passengers are not wearing their seat belts. At the moment drivers can be fined for not wearing a seat belt but only if pulled over for another reason. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt will be $30 but with added fees will be nearer $96.

 

[SimonV]

This is definitely worth pointing out. 'Click It or Ticket' has long been a law enforcement campaign in the US but it is now more high-profile in Florida, hence this slight change of law. Not wearing a seatbelt just doesn't make sense anyway, but now it is doubly important to avoid anything like this.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Well that's a good thing. I wouldn't dream of getting into a car and NOT putting on a seatbelt, but there we go. Nice to know they are looking out for our personal safety

 

[Neoshoegal]

good!

 

[paulh]

have always worn seatbelt over here in uk. find it strange that its only becoming compulsory in the usa.Have been in limos over there when they get on private property like a supermarket car park or hotel property belt is straight off and only back on when on public highway
Paulh

 

[Cyrano]

Good to hear that what we would conside sensible, normal advice regarding a seatbelt will now become standard practice in Florida

 

[SimonV]

Wearing a seatbelt has been compulsory in all US states for quite some time. This change of law simply allows the police to pull you over on suspicion of not wearing one. Previously, you could only get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt if they pulled you over on on a different pretext. This really only closes that loophole and means the police will be much sharper on those who don't 'Click It' in future.

 

[cap'njack.]

Such a good idea...makes you wonder why it's taken until 2009 to implement this change though

 

[Lizzybear]

Wearing a seatbelt has been compulsory in all US states for quite some time. This change of law simply allows the police to pull you over on suspicion of not wearing one. Previously, you could only get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt if they pulled you over on on a different pretext. This really only closes that loophole and means the police will be much sharper on those who don't 'Click It' in future.

Not sure if this is still the case but I remember reading in the Florida driver's handbook in 2007 that seatbelts in the back seat were not compulsory (aside of course from children who legally have to be in child restraints due to age/size) only in the front, always seemed a bit odd to me

 

[doverfox]

just wondered if my uk medical excemption certificate would be valid in florida

dave

 

[bazzanoid]

just wondered if my uk medical excemption certificate would be valid in florida

dave

I think you'd have to ask the US Embassy that one!

I'm exempt too, due to a rib injury that left my ribcage weak. Don't mind wearing them when sitting on the left so to speak as it doesn't cut across the damaged ribs, so don't have an issue in FL, but more dangerous to my health when sitting on the right than not wearing one - even a slight tug leaves me breathless for a while! Rather take my chances with bracing against the steering wheel here in the UK than wearing a belt and risking a punctured lung!

As a side note, I wholeheartedly endorse wearing belts and believe they are an excellent safety device that saves many lives. Just not mine! Not trying to start a flamewar on wearing seatbelts or not, just felt I should justify my exemption as some people wonder why anyone should be exempt, maybe because i've had to explain it to the police one too many times while rummaging in the glovebox for the certificate!

 

[natalielongstaff]

It would NEVER occur to me to not wear a seatbelt !