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Published on Tuesday, May 25, 2004
in the Florida Today
TITUSVILLE, Fla. - A nationwide campaign program aimed at getting drivers and passengers alike to wear seat belts and use child safety seats is coming to Brevard County.
On Friday, the Brevard County Sheriff's office will officially begin its participation in the national Click It or Ticket campaign. The Florida Highway Patrol began its enforcement campaign on Monday. Both campaigns will end June 6.
To kick off his agency's portion of the enforcement, Brevard County Sheriff Phil Williams will be at the at the American Police Hall Of Fame in Titusville on Friday at 10:30 a.m. He will be joined by former Jacksonville Jaguars football player Santo Stephens and two crash survivors who were "saved by the belt."
"Buckle up! It's as simple as that," said Williams. "We are declaring a zero tolerance for drivers who don't. This is not only a local effort, but a statewide and national effort to save lives."
Local officials say there will be no warnings and no excuses during the Click It or Ticket campaign.
In Florida, drivers cannot be pulled over because they are not wearing a seat belt. However, should a driver be pulled over for any other reason and not be in compliance with the seat belt statute, officers will issue a ticket.
"The fine is $66," said Chris Ferrante a deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Motor Unit. "That's in addition to whatever violation you were pulled over for to begin with."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes are the No. 1 killer of young children. Six out of 10 children who die in traffic crashes are completely unrestrained.
However, studies have shown that proper safety seat usage can reduce fatalities by about 70 percent, Sheriff's spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez said.
Representatives from dozens of law enforcement agencies around Central Florida will be present in a show of force on Friday.