Click It Or Ticket - Seatbelt Laws In Florida - Cohen Law Group

Click It Or Ticket – Seatbelt Laws In Florida

In 1885, Edward J. Claghorn filed the first US patent for automobile seatbelts. In 1955, Ford offered seatbelts as an option, and in 1958, Volvo had the first modern three-point seatbelt as standard equipment. What was once an optional feature in a car is now a requirement to be used by law.

“Click it or Ticket” seems to be the slogan of today’s traffic laws.

While driving around in your day-to-day lives, you may have noticed billboards, signs, and other warnings demanding you wear your seat belt. The state of Florida has very specific laws regarding to seatbelt usage, and very specific consequences.

According to the Florida DMV, in any car manufactured since 1968, front seat passengers must wear seatbelts (1). In addition to that, all passengers in a vehicle under the age of 18 must wear a seatbelt. These laws apply to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida roads.

So, what if you don’t like wearing seatbelts?

What if you want to be a rebel? What if you just forget one day? Surely, it’s your choice, right? It’s your life in question, not anyone else’s. You’re not really putting anyone else at risk, right?

Well, the state of Florida says otherwise. If you are found not to be in compliance with the requirements mentioned above, you can be penalized. If you are caught not wearing your seatbelt, you will be the new owner of a $30 ticket. For a child that is not properly restrained, it will be $60.

There are some instances where your seatbelt may have suddenly malfunctioned, or maybe you have another legitimate reason for not wearing one as required by law. Depending on the facts, a ticket or citation might not be valid.

Don’t be afraid to call an experienced attorney and present your case.

Many Florida attorneys like Cohen Law Group offer free consultations, and will let you know if you have a case. The law firm may be able to help you fight the ticket.

According to the National Safety Council, seatbelts saved more than 75,000 lives from 2004 to 2008 (2). That is a substantial number.

So, while you may not like the way they feel, of if you may want live above the law, or perhaps to just don’t care, think twice. That thin piece or polyester or nylon could mean the difference between life and death, or at the least, a $30 or $60 ticket.

Remember: click it or ticket.

References:

(1) Florida DMV

(2) National Safety Council

Click It Or Ticket – Seatbelt Laws In Florida