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I wear it all the time. Whatever.
New Law Will Let Cops Pull Over Unbelted Drivers Reporting
John Lauritsen ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
While lawmakers haven't agreed on a lot of things, they did agree on a bill that affects everybody driving a car in the state. The governor says he'll sign it into law and that means police will be able to stop a car if they see that the driver or any passenger isn't buckled up.
Minnesota will be the 30th state to have a so-called primary seat belt law. Until Monday, lawmakers defeated it year after year.
"I think it's fine cause I always wear my seatbelt. I never leave the garage without it on," said motorist Shelly Grossinger.
If that's the case then Grossinger has nothing to worry about. But for the 13 percent of Minnesotans who don't buckle up, it may be time to start or risk a fine.
Right now, law enforcement needs to catch you for speeding or another offense before they can give you a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. Starting June 9, not buckling up will be reason enough.
Coincidentally, police officers across the state began their annual "Click It Or Ticket" campaign on Monday. Each year, during the two week campaign, an average of 7,000 drivers are caught not wearing their seatbelts. Soon, those drivers will risk a $25 fine.
Lawmakers said there were two reasons the bill passed this year. One was cuts to health care, and two is that this is the last year the state is eligible for $3.4 million in federal funds by passing the bill.
Opponents say seat belt use should remain a personal choice and worry it'll be a basis for racial profiling.
Even so, the idea isn't clicking with every motorist.
"By stopping one out of 100 or 1,000 people on the road you're not going to be able to force them wear a seatbelt. It puts a limit on personal rights," said motorist David Sherrard.
Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, who was chief author of the bill, said the law will save between 30 and 100 lives a year.
New Law Will Let Cops Pull Over Unbelted Drivers Reporting
John Lauritsen ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
While lawmakers haven't agreed on a lot of things, they did agree on a bill that affects everybody driving a car in the state. The governor says he'll sign it into law and that means police will be able to stop a car if they see that the driver or any passenger isn't buckled up.
Minnesota will be the 30th state to have a so-called primary seat belt law. Until Monday, lawmakers defeated it year after year.
"I think it's fine cause I always wear my seatbelt. I never leave the garage without it on," said motorist Shelly Grossinger.
If that's the case then Grossinger has nothing to worry about. But for the 13 percent of Minnesotans who don't buckle up, it may be time to start or risk a fine.
Right now, law enforcement needs to catch you for speeding or another offense before they can give you a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. Starting June 9, not buckling up will be reason enough.
Coincidentally, police officers across the state began their annual "Click It Or Ticket" campaign on Monday. Each year, during the two week campaign, an average of 7,000 drivers are caught not wearing their seatbelts. Soon, those drivers will risk a $25 fine.
Lawmakers said there were two reasons the bill passed this year. One was cuts to health care, and two is that this is the last year the state is eligible for $3.4 million in federal funds by passing the bill.
Opponents say seat belt use should remain a personal choice and worry it'll be a basis for racial profiling.
Even so, the idea isn't clicking with every motorist.
"By stopping one out of 100 or 1,000 people on the road you're not going to be able to force them wear a seatbelt. It puts a limit on personal rights," said motorist David Sherrard.
Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, who was chief author of the bill, said the law will save between 30 and 100 lives a year.
Bullshit.
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