Seatbelt Ticket
- Thread starter Skidoo08
- Start date
If your bouncing around in the cab of your street vehicle your pretty much out of control already. Racing is a different thing altogether.
J
John
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I got one in Oregon many years ago on my way home from a funeral. I did not realize it was a primary offence over there. It still is not in Idaho but they run what I like to call seatbelt witch hunts all the time. Basically, they saturate the streets with traffic units and pull over everyone who is not wearing the belt. The fact that it is not a primary offence is real easy to get around. Lights, one MPH over the limit, crosing the center line, ect. It's all about revenue!
BTW, on the one I got over there...it was my first offence, I called and told them my story...funeral, from Idaho, yada, yada, yada and they dropped the fine to $20.00 or something along those lines. Worth a shot.
BTW, on the one I got over there...it was my first offence, I called and told them my story...funeral, from Idaho, yada, yada, yada and they dropped the fine to $20.00 or something along those lines. Worth a shot.
fighting tickets is kinda a waste of time, most of us have a hard time lying to a judge's face (you know your wrong), I just pay my fines and keep breakin the law.
On the note of seatbelts... whenever im driving i try to put mine on, when im in my truck which has a 4 point setup i wear em as there 10x more comfortable then normal belts and hold you in infinately better when your bouncing around(i have jumped it pretty high and never moved out of the seat) I dont like the nature of it being a law but do accept they work, so I use them on that principle.
On the note of seatbelts... whenever im driving i try to put mine on, when im in my truck which has a 4 point setup i wear em as there 10x more comfortable then normal belts and hold you in infinately better when your bouncing around(i have jumped it pretty high and never moved out of the seat) I dont like the nature of it being a law but do accept they work, so I use them on that principle.
O
oregunrmk
Active member
Im sorry but I have to speak my mind. We all tend to get caught up in the pro-choice, its my life, etc, etc. What you are overlooking is the fact that it never effects just you. My eighteen year old daughter died four months ago today and the fact is that if she were wearing her safety belt, she would still be alive. The agony of losing her still stings as much as the day I lost her. I am sorry for preaching but trust me , you dont want your family and friends to have to live with pain everyday of their lives, because you felt it was your right to choose. Helmets are not mandatory on the snow, but how many of us ride without one?.... Be smart, live to ride another day. Don.
Good comment Don and thank you for sharing your perspective with us. I can't imagine the pain of your loss.
I got a seat belt ticket the other day coming home from work. The fine here in BC is $167.00. I still have a problem remembering to wear it. I work for GM dealer and I am in and out of vehicles all day long. I certainly don't wear a seatbelt everytime I need to move a truck from the lot to the service area. I always wear my seatbelt when I'm going any distance but this cop was hiding out 100 feet from the entrance to our dealership. I never had a chance to put on my belt. She gave me the ticket and I never signed it. SHe never asked for my siganature. In reading the ticket, it states that I have to sign the ticket or they have no record of me ever recieving it. I don't know if I should get it thrown out of court or just pay the darn thing.
How about before you turned the car on...
Man complain complain complain.. complainwest?
Seat belts are for me not for you. They are for when you run into me on the road, that I do not kill you!
Thanks for sharing your story, Don...my sympathy in your loss. My parents would've been sharing a similar story a few years ago if I hadn't been wearing a seatbelt. A friend and I were on the freeway doing nothing wrong, when someone traveling in the opposite direction lost control, crossed the median, and hit us head on. We collided around 70 mph. We flipped onto our roof and barrel-rolled into the ditch. Luckily, we ended up on our wheels, and I was able to open the door and walk out. An officer showed up a few minutes later, looked at me and asked, "and who are you?" I pointed to my buddy's wrecked car, and told the officer that I was the passenger in that vehicle. He looked at me in total disbelief. The state patrol awarded us the "Seatbelts Save Lives" award for that year, because it was pretty safe to say that neither of us would be here today if we hadn't been wearing our seatbelts. You might be the best driver in the world, but as in our case, you never know about the guy in the car next to you or coming at you...a drunk, a teen texting on his/her cell phone, a mom dealing with her misbehaving kids in the back seat, etc.
Seatbelt ticket is $175 here in Saskatchewan. It's a no-brainer.
I do not like being forced to wear a seatbelt but I doo.
I work in the autobody industry and seatbelts do save lives.
Think about it, when a airbag system deploys and you do not have your belt on and your body is traveling forward and the airbag is coming at you, the toughest guy in the world is going to be hurt very badley.
The other thing to remember is the seat belt keeps you in the vehicle in a rollover and you do not get ejected from the vehicle and it lands on you.
Once you get used to wearing your seatbelt, it feels reallly wierd not having it on.
Just my 2 cents
I work in the autobody industry and seatbelts do save lives.
Think about it, when a airbag system deploys and you do not have your belt on and your body is traveling forward and the airbag is coming at you, the toughest guy in the world is going to be hurt very badley.
The other thing to remember is the seat belt keeps you in the vehicle in a rollover and you do not get ejected from the vehicle and it lands on you.
Once you get used to wearing your seatbelt, it feels reallly wierd not having it on.
Just my 2 cents
I agree with this I have never reqested protection and where I grew up it took 45 min to respond to an emergency so we had a volunteer FD and took care of our selves never even dawns on me to call 911....why be robbed or I bleed to death long before the showed up to take a report and tell you how lucky you are and that your not suppose to be self reliant.How in the Hell did we manage to get to be such old bastards without big brother, was it luck or just good beer!!! Swampy
Downsize the Govt. by 50% and balance the budget. We cant afford your protection any more. its like the dam mob force you or else. more good ides gone bad.
I think the seatbelt ticket is $124 here in WA? Cant remember, used to be 86, then 101 then 113 and think its up agian. Personally I feel weird driving without a seatbelt on. I used to daily drive my 72 chevy pickup that only had lap belts and i drove by a state patrol car almost everyday on the freeway. I kinda wanted to be pulled over to show i had a belt on but was sure they knew better that to bother with a beatup old that likely may not even had seatbelts in it.
The Man's bringing me down again..........
It's rather simple, just wear your F'n seatbelt. Must you be reminded that driving is not a right, but a privilege.
A privilege given by god, not the government. .
Seatbelt laws are stupid.
E
EricW
Well-known member
Don:
So sorry to hear of your loss. I can't imagine. Let me start by saying that I do understand and believe that seat belts save lives. I have no doubt that the statistics show it to be true. That said, I know the same would be true of hard hats, chain saw chaps, bullet proof vests while hunting, using jack stands along with a floor jacks, etc.
My point is that there are many areas and situations in life where if we were forced to make safety related decisions, lives would be saved. Our local States have decided though to only enforce one, the seat belt law. I am bothered that the same State (WA in my case) that says it fines me for seatbelt violations because it cares and wants to save lives is also the same State that supplies and regulates/taxes all the booze and cigarettes I can get my hands on. So in one case my State must fine me $120+ for no seat belt because it loves me and cares for my health (oh ya ...and the health of others) and right after signing the ticket that same State prospers from all the Vodka and Marlboro's that I can afford with whats left. If I have any money left after that, I am more than welcome to go dump it at one of the many State approved and regulated Casino's along the way home, again, my State loves and cares for me. Atleast the Casino will give me a free drink or a smoke if I dump enough money there before my drive home with seat belt on.
I know I will get flamed for this, but think about it, the State writing these tickets because it cares.....about us? When they run a seat belt emphisis patrol is it because they cared more that week? I think we know what the real answer is. Here's a scenario to think about. How many troopers would write educational seat belt tickets to non wearers if there was no money involved. How many would take the time to pull you over, step out into the elements and traffic to try and save your life with a seat belt reminder if there was no fine/money involved. Now before you say "you cant ask them to go through all that and not generate any money", think about what a fireman does. He (and the agaency he works for) gets paid the same money whether he's playing cards at the station of pulling me out of a burning building. The fireman puts his life on the line for me and never collects a cent extra, never treats me like a bad guy, and never enjoys a power trip while lecturing me about my choices as an adult.
I am by no means putting all critisism on the officers/troopers here. I am simply saying how many would still do it if there was no directive or quota from their superiors to do so. No push either way, just do it if you truely believe in it, like a fire fighter.
I feel the same argument can be made of our local WSDOT officers. These guys have mondo State bucks spent on them for training on how to make the big rigs safe on the road and to protect motorists sharing the road with the big rigs. My problem with these guys is that they never use this tax payer knowledge to educate the driver free of charge (like they were) on the risks of bad brakes, tires, maint, etc. Instead, they use this knowledge as a sword to write huge tickets to working class drivers who never really understand the formulas used to calculate axle spacing, tread depth, things like that. I have big rigs and I keep them up. I invite my local weigh master to come to my shop and look my rigs over and make corrections. The local guy will do it, the rest won't. I have found that even if my local guy gives my rig the green light, I will still get fines from other officers the same day at other locations. These fines are never less than $500. The outcome is that the most educated (paid for by our taxes) people on the road who could use that education in a productive way to save lives almost always choose to use their knowledge instead to rain financial havoc on those who can afford it least. Is this just another case of the State caring for its people. RANT OVER.
If my State loved me, get Boeing back, make workers comp. affordable so I can hire back a few guys, let me make a few bucks then tax me, Boeing, and Microsoft more for the needed State revenues and forget the taxing in the form of citations which in many working class homes results in someone going without something that week. But by all means please dont insult me with proclamations of caring until you have gotten out of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and gambling businesses.
Again, Don and others, please don't take this as a lack of feeling or understanding of your losses. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I do believe in seat belts, just not the false claims that surround their enforcement. EW
So sorry to hear of your loss. I can't imagine. Let me start by saying that I do understand and believe that seat belts save lives. I have no doubt that the statistics show it to be true. That said, I know the same would be true of hard hats, chain saw chaps, bullet proof vests while hunting, using jack stands along with a floor jacks, etc.
My point is that there are many areas and situations in life where if we were forced to make safety related decisions, lives would be saved. Our local States have decided though to only enforce one, the seat belt law. I am bothered that the same State (WA in my case) that says it fines me for seatbelt violations because it cares and wants to save lives is also the same State that supplies and regulates/taxes all the booze and cigarettes I can get my hands on. So in one case my State must fine me $120+ for no seat belt because it loves me and cares for my health (oh ya ...and the health of others) and right after signing the ticket that same State prospers from all the Vodka and Marlboro's that I can afford with whats left. If I have any money left after that, I am more than welcome to go dump it at one of the many State approved and regulated Casino's along the way home, again, my State loves and cares for me. Atleast the Casino will give me a free drink or a smoke if I dump enough money there before my drive home with seat belt on.
I know I will get flamed for this, but think about it, the State writing these tickets because it cares.....about us? When they run a seat belt emphisis patrol is it because they cared more that week? I think we know what the real answer is. Here's a scenario to think about. How many troopers would write educational seat belt tickets to non wearers if there was no money involved. How many would take the time to pull you over, step out into the elements and traffic to try and save your life with a seat belt reminder if there was no fine/money involved. Now before you say "you cant ask them to go through all that and not generate any money", think about what a fireman does. He (and the agaency he works for) gets paid the same money whether he's playing cards at the station of pulling me out of a burning building. The fireman puts his life on the line for me and never collects a cent extra, never treats me like a bad guy, and never enjoys a power trip while lecturing me about my choices as an adult.
I am by no means putting all critisism on the officers/troopers here. I am simply saying how many would still do it if there was no directive or quota from their superiors to do so. No push either way, just do it if you truely believe in it, like a fire fighter.
I feel the same argument can be made of our local WSDOT officers. These guys have mondo State bucks spent on them for training on how to make the big rigs safe on the road and to protect motorists sharing the road with the big rigs. My problem with these guys is that they never use this tax payer knowledge to educate the driver free of charge (like they were) on the risks of bad brakes, tires, maint, etc. Instead, they use this knowledge as a sword to write huge tickets to working class drivers who never really understand the formulas used to calculate axle spacing, tread depth, things like that. I have big rigs and I keep them up. I invite my local weigh master to come to my shop and look my rigs over and make corrections. The local guy will do it, the rest won't. I have found that even if my local guy gives my rig the green light, I will still get fines from other officers the same day at other locations. These fines are never less than $500. The outcome is that the most educated (paid for by our taxes) people on the road who could use that education in a productive way to save lives almost always choose to use their knowledge instead to rain financial havoc on those who can afford it least. Is this just another case of the State caring for its people. RANT OVER.
If my State loved me, get Boeing back, make workers comp. affordable so I can hire back a few guys, let me make a few bucks then tax me, Boeing, and Microsoft more for the needed State revenues and forget the taxing in the form of citations which in many working class homes results in someone going without something that week. But by all means please dont insult me with proclamations of caring until you have gotten out of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and gambling businesses.
Again, Don and others, please don't take this as a lack of feeling or understanding of your losses. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I do believe in seat belts, just not the false claims that surround their enforcement. EW
Nothing wrong with your reply EW. If seat belts save lives, why are there no seat belts on school buses? These things carry our most precious cargo yet due to some regulatory lobby, the vast majority of school buses don't have seat belts. I don't think you need to wear a seat belt when you're riding the greyhound either. If it's just about saving lives, save them all.
S
Superjag
Well-known member
I'm not going to get into all of the underlying moral/legal/ethical arguments which have been raised here (not yet at least). Instead, I'll try and answer the OP's question (Remember when that actually happened on Snowest?)
Legal Disclaimer: I am not licensed to practice law in the state of Oregon.
Skidoo08, IF you have relatively clean driving record (say, no moving violations in the past 2-3 years), mosts states have something called a Stay of Imposition or Continuance for Dismissal or some other like term. Basically, what happens is this: You go talk to the prosecutor. He or she agrees to keep the offense off your driving record for a period of one (1) year. As long as you get no same or similar offenses in the next year, the ticket disappears as though it never happened. On the other hand, if you get another ticket in the next year, this current ticket goes on your driving record. It's not really "getting out" of the ticket, it's more like them giving you a second chance to prove that you screwed up once but from here on out you're going to follow the rules. Oh, and by the way, they're still going to want you to pay some $$. Probably just a little less than the ticket amount. Instead of a fine, they'll call it a "prosecution fee" or "court costs" or some other made-up term to get a few bucks out of you. But at least you get a chance to keep it off your record.
On the other hand, if you have a bunch or recent violations on your driving record, don't waste your time. Just send them the money.
Oh, and start wearing your seat belt.
Ok, NOW I'll jump into the other arguments...
Don, my sympathy goes out to you and yours. I cannot imagine what you are going through.
Eric W, your reasoning is sketchy. Of course we would all be safer if they mandated a bunch of other safety-oriented equipment, like chaps and vests, etc. But they don't. So what. We all pick battles. They (the legislators) picked seat belts. You bet revenue has something to do with it, but it also has to do with public perception and exposure and a bunch of other factors. To argue that they aren't truly concerned about safety because they don't regulate every potentially hazardous activity is asinine. Besides, do you actually want them to impose more regulations in order to justify their positions on seat belts?!
J-Fly, you're pretty much just a knucklehead. Trust me, the Supreme Court has already made it quite clear that they are not buying the "driving is my God-given right" thing. It quite clearly has been deemed a privilege, which is why they can take away your license before you are ever convicted of DWI...
Legal Disclaimer: I am not licensed to practice law in the state of Oregon.
Skidoo08, IF you have relatively clean driving record (say, no moving violations in the past 2-3 years), mosts states have something called a Stay of Imposition or Continuance for Dismissal or some other like term. Basically, what happens is this: You go talk to the prosecutor. He or she agrees to keep the offense off your driving record for a period of one (1) year. As long as you get no same or similar offenses in the next year, the ticket disappears as though it never happened. On the other hand, if you get another ticket in the next year, this current ticket goes on your driving record. It's not really "getting out" of the ticket, it's more like them giving you a second chance to prove that you screwed up once but from here on out you're going to follow the rules. Oh, and by the way, they're still going to want you to pay some $$. Probably just a little less than the ticket amount. Instead of a fine, they'll call it a "prosecution fee" or "court costs" or some other made-up term to get a few bucks out of you. But at least you get a chance to keep it off your record.
On the other hand, if you have a bunch or recent violations on your driving record, don't waste your time. Just send them the money.
Oh, and start wearing your seat belt.
Ok, NOW I'll jump into the other arguments...
Don, my sympathy goes out to you and yours. I cannot imagine what you are going through.
Eric W, your reasoning is sketchy. Of course we would all be safer if they mandated a bunch of other safety-oriented equipment, like chaps and vests, etc. But they don't. So what. We all pick battles. They (the legislators) picked seat belts. You bet revenue has something to do with it, but it also has to do with public perception and exposure and a bunch of other factors. To argue that they aren't truly concerned about safety because they don't regulate every potentially hazardous activity is asinine. Besides, do you actually want them to impose more regulations in order to justify their positions on seat belts?!
J-Fly, you're pretty much just a knucklehead. Trust me, the Supreme Court has already made it quite clear that they are not buying the "driving is my God-given right" thing. It quite clearly has been deemed a privilege, which is why they can take away your license before you are ever convicted of DWI...
E
EricW
Well-known member
Are you kidding man? If the seat belt laws had anything to do with public perception or exposure then the legislators would have put it up for public vote. How do you think that vote would go based on current public perception and exposure? They chose seatbelts because the enforcement (troopers, deputies, officers, etc) was already out there and not generating enough revenue to subsidize their existance. Seat belt violations were a "gimme" and nothing more.
I wasn't arguing that authorities weren't truely concerned about safety because they didn't regulate other safety risks, in fact, I stated "How many troopers would write educational seat belt tickets to non wearers if there was no money involved. How many would take the time to pull you over, step out into the elements and traffic to try and save your life with a seat belt reminder if there was no fine/money involved." I think this is a true test of their true concerns and intentions. I feel that if there was no money involved and just voluntary concern for motorists safety was the only incentive, you would never see any law enforcement pulling anyone over for not wearing a seat belt just so they could educate the public they are paid to serve.
I have no doubt that all law enforcement personnel knew that seat belts save lives prior to it being a fine generating citation. How many people, before it was law, got pulled over for not wearing one just so the officer could bolster public perception and a bunch of other factors as you put it. Did legislators propose doing this for free as a public service or just jump right into a revenue generating fine situation. Think about that for just a minute, did any law enforcement care about people wearing seat belts before there was a fine attached? You and I both know the answer to that one, and if one of us doesn't then one of us is no doubt asinine.
Good debate though, I enjoy having it. EW
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