South Florida Traffic Lawyers Examine Proposed Seat Belt Law

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, 82% of Florida drivers wear a seat belt. That statistic represents a sharp increase over statistics from previous years, but it is still less than the 87% of drivers who wear seat belts in the 26 states with primary seat belt laws.

The Florida legislature recently sent a bill to Governor Charlie Crist that would allow police to write $30 tickets to drivers who do not buckle up. Right now failure to wear a seat belt is a secondary offense, meaning that drivers can only get a seat-belt citation if they are pulled over for other traffic violations, such as speeding. The bill is named for a former legislator’s daughter, who was killed in a 1996 car accident. Governor Crist has said he will sign the bill into law.

Although the bill has been introduced and shot down for the past several years, it passed this year because it would make the state eligible for one-time, $35.5 million traffic safety grant from the federal government.

Bill allowing tickets for failure to wear seat belts is sent to Gov. Charlie Crist, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 29, 2009
Our South Florida traffic attorneys can explain your legal options if you have received a traffic ticket.