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Published on Sunday, May 23, 2004
in the Lakeland Ledger
Officers will enforce a zero tolerance policy on seat belts and child seats.
They can be uncomfortable and cramp that cool-looking lean some drivers go for.
Still, Florida Highway Patrol reminds those drivers that it's hard to look cool when you've been thrown from your vehicle in a car accident.
So please, wear your seat belt.
Monday marks the beginning of "Click It or Ticket" week all over the country, and Florida Highway Patrol troopers say they will be more adamant about doing what they always do.
Officers are enforcing a zero tolerance policy against drivers who aren't wearing seat belts or have children in the car who are not properly secured in a child safety seat.
"Here in Polk County, we are continuing to see serious injuries or deaths where people are not wearing seat belts," said Larry Coggins, state trooper and spokesman for FHP.
"We are also seeing a rise in kids not being restrained in car seats."
Coggins said several things can occur when drivers don't wear seat belts -- all of them bad.
The driver could be ejected from the vehicle and then be run over by a passing car or their own car.
Head and facial injuries are also common when drivers slam into the window, air bag or other part of the vehicle upon impact.
In Florida, not wearing a seat belt is a secondary offense.
This means an officer cannot pull a driver over for not wearing a seat belt.
But they can issue a $49 citation if the driver is found not wearing a seat belt after being stopped for a primary violation, like speeding.
FHP reported that in Polk County 44, people died in car accidents this year; 29 of them were not wearing seat belts.
Of the 3140 people killed last year in Florida, 560 were not wearing seat belts. Sixty-nine of those were children who were not in car seats.
Drivers can be pulled over for not having kids in a car or booster seat, a primary violation.
According to Florida Statutes, children 3 and younger should be in a child safety seat that is properly secured to the vehicle. Four and 5-year-olds should be in a booster seat or secured with a seat belt. Any passengers between ages 6 and 18 should be wearing a seat belt.
Passengers older than 18 must wear a seat belt if they are in the front seat.
Though adults in the back seat are not required to wear a seat belt, Coggins said wear it anyway.
For children, Coggins said the safest place in the vehicle is the rear center. Parents who cannot afford a car seat or want more information about properly securing the car seat can contact Florida Highway Patrol in Polk County for assistance at 863-4992300.
More information on seat belt and car seat safety is available at the National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration Web site at www.nhtsa.gov.