Last Update: 01/27/16
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has joined with state and local authorities for a national drive to stop people on the roads who are not wearing seat belts. The video above is just one of the campaign messages being promoted this year in advance of the Memorial Day Weekend.
Florida Click It or Ticket Began Yesterday
Here in Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol announced that the Memorial Day Weekend Click It or Ticket patrols would be out on Florida roads starting yesterday, May 20, and continuing to focus on ticketing people they find are not buckled up for safety through next Monday at the close of the Memorial Day Weekend.
“The Patrol is committed to making the roadways safer through the use of education and enforcement campaigns such as Click it or Ticket,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Seat belts have saved thousands of lives and are one of the most effective safety tools in your vehicle. Buckle up Florida, it is the law.”
Here in Florida, they will be looking to find not only drivers that have failed to buckle up, but also passengers that are not wearing seat belts. Result? Traffic ticket.
Law Enforcement Targeting Seat Belt Laws Does Save Lives
It’s been shown in data from places like the National Safety Council that wearing seat belts saves people from dying in a car crash. For one thing, buckled up passengers as well as the driver are less likely to be ejected from the vehicle that those that are not wearing seat belts. And myths that seat belts are more dangerous to wear than not have been statistically discounted.
Florida Auto Accident Deaths and Serious Car Crash Injuries Are Caused By More Than Just Failing to Buckle Up
Still, the truth is that seat belts are all about minimizing damage in a car crash. Accidents aren’t caused or prevented by seat belts. This Memorial Day Weekend, here in beautiful South Florida, there will be many Floridians enjoying their three day weekend as well as visitors and tourists here to soak up some fun in the sun.
This will mean people on the roads this Memorial Day in Florida will face these dangers as they drive, buckled up or not:
- drivers being distracted by talking on a handheld cell phone
- distracted drivers on a hands-free phone
- distracted drivers dealing with children in the vehicle
- drivers not acquainted with our roads or our rules of the road
- drivers who are speeding
- drivers who are weaving and racing
- drivers who are sleepy or tired
- drunk drivers
- drugged drivers
- drivers with product failure (tire blowout, rollover, brake failure, etc.)
While law enforcement targets seat belt law violators, the cruel reality is that accidents and crashes are going to happen over this holiday weekend due to things like distracted driving and drunk (intoxicated) drivers.
The best result of this Memorial Day Weekend will be for you and your loved one to avoid becoming one of the inevitable traffic statistics for Memorial Day 2013.
However, for those in need of information about what to do in the event of an accident, we have compiled a list entitled “8 Things You Should Do If You Are Involved In an Auto Accident” for your information which you can download as a free ebook for your phone here.
What Should You Do Now?
A good piece of advice if you have been harmed in a car accident, is to at least speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer before you file a claim to learn about some of the issues that can arise with these claims, including the type of evidence needed to prove a claim and the type and amount of damages you can recover. Most personal injury lawyers, like Alan Sackrin, will offer a free initial consultation (over the phone or in person) to answer your questions.
Related:
- FLORIDA DRAM SHOP LAWS: DO VICTIMS OF DUI ACCIDENTS HAVE A CIVIL DAMAGE LAWSUIT CLAIM AGAINST BAR, HOTEL, RESTAURANT THAT SOLD THE DRINKS?
- New Florida Law Bans Texting While Driving – But Only a $30 Fine If You’re Caught: Feel Safer from Distracted Driver Car Crashes, South Florida?
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Do you have questions or comments? Then please feel free to send Alan an email or call him now at (954) 458-8655.
