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Published on Saturday, May 29, 2004
in the Daytona Beach News-Journal
PALM COAST -- The Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement officers say they will be ticketing drivers and passengers who don't wear seat belts this Memorial Day weekend to prevent traffic deaths.
Last year 46 people died on Florida roads over the weekend, and 68 percent were not wearing seat belts, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The "Click it or Ticket" campaign runs from May 24 to through June 6, and more officers will be on the roads this weekend.
They will issue citations for anyone not wearing a seatbelt after pulling a car over for a traffic infraction. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and adults in the United States, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, an agency participating in the campaign.
"These are all preventable tragedies," said Sgt. Mike Van Buren, supervisor of the Sheriff's Office traffic unit. "The failure to buckle up is always life threatening and never worth the risk."
AAA Auto Club South estimates 36.9 million Americans and 1.7 million Floridians will travel this weekend. Despite gasoline costing almost 50 cents more per gallon this year, the group expects the number of travelers to increase 3.6 percent.
People are more positive about the economy and their own finances, said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president of AAA Auto Club South.
"There's no doubt that consumers who had chosen to stay on the sidelines last year are excited about making plans this year," Bakewell said.
Getting people to wear seat belts is the most effective way to save lives on the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Almost half of the people who die in traffic crashes would still be alive if they wore a seat belt. Research shows that people who don't wear seat belts are less likely to buckle up their children, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Likewise, drivers who buckle are three times more likely to buckle their children.
The Florida Highway Patrol is increasing its presence this weekend. Administrative personnel are helping troopers by patrolling interstates and major highways. The agency wants to deter traffic violations.
Col. Chris Knight, director of the Florida Highway Patrol, said troopers are not trying to see how many tickets they can write during the campaign.
Instead, they're trying to save lives and reduce injuries, he said.