DO YOU WANT TO BE PULLED OVER FOR NOT WEARING YOUR SEAT BELT?

The Florida House of Representatives is One Step Closer to Making it Law

Should you get pulled over by the police just because you are not wearing a seat belt?  A committee in the Florida House of Representatives thinks so.  This week, they passed a bill that would give law enforcement the right to pull drivers over simply because someone was not wearing a seat belt.  The bill was passed with a vote 18-2 and is moving through other committees.

Right now, it is Florida law that law enforcement can only issue a seat belt citation as a secondary offense--that is, they pulled you over for something else and also noticed that you were not wearing your seat belt.  The proposed bill will change this.

Researchers claim that the law will result in millions of dollar from the federal safety incentive fund and save millions on insurance and health care costs.  However, critics claim it is an encroachment on individual rights.  The critics ask why is it lawful to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but against the law to fail to wear a seat belt in a big metal box supposedly designed to protect you from injury.

If you feel strongly about this, you need to contact your Legislators.  Otherwise, you have no right to complain about whatever happens.  You can reach your Legislators through the link on my Legal Resources and Links page.

Personally, in my personal injury practice, I have seen seat belts save lives in car accidents, but I have also seen many people involved in car accident injured more significantly because of the seat belt.  When I was in my severe car accident at age 16, I was told that I would be dead if I had my seat belt on since the impact was on the driver's side.

For more information about your rights after a Florida car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, workers' comp claim or other personal injury matter, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes.

For more articles that could save your life or the life of a loved one, read and post on Personal Injury Matthew Noyes' web blog, Noyes Legal News--Helpful Information About Florida Car Accidents and Workers' Compensation Claims.