Law enforcement officers on Tuesday morning issued 80 seatbelt violations around Emporia High School as part of a program that encourages students to wear seatbelts.
The program is called SAFE, or Seatbelts Are For Everyone. The program consists of a partnership between students, law enforcement officers and safety advocates, along with an education and enforcement campaign and seatbelt surveys.
This week is the enforcement week.
The day started out before 7 a.m. Tuesday morning for 12 law enforcement officers in the Emporia High School parking lot.
After a briefing, two officers acted as spotters, one on the roundabout west of the high school and the other in an office parking lot east of the high school.
Any vehicle driving through the area was checked for seatbelts.
Once the spotter saw a vehicle whose occupant was without a seatbelt, several Emporia police officers and Lyon County sheriff’s deputies acted as chaser cars to stop the vehicle and issue a ticket. There were also several law enforcement vehicles in the high school parking lot.
For Richard Johnson, a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the first ticket was issued at 7:17 a.m. The second ticket came at 7:29 a.m.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Waste of law enforcement dollars and personnel. Period.
March 2, 2011 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
It's cheaper and easier to enforce seat belt laws than it is to deal with a fatality accident investigation. Exclamation mark.
March 2, 2011 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Completely agreed bob. Was there any other checkpoints for this in the city? Cause if not, that sounds like discrimination of high school aged drivers.
March 2, 2011 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
I disagree bobhornet.
Have you ever witnessed an accident where a victim was not wearing a seatbelt? ... Not just at 70+ mph, but at 15 or 20 mph. I don't think it's a wast of law enforcement dollars and personnel to reiterate to these kids: Dead is dead. Buckle up.
March 2, 2011 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
americus1987
I remember The Gazette publishing an article a little over a week ago that this was going to happen at and around EHS. No complaints were raised at that time.
March 2, 2011 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Maybe the lost lives of the 3 Americus teenagers were on the cops' minds? Having gone to one of their funerals I can tell you this crackdown wasn't in vain.
March 2, 2011 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
I was all for this up until the point I read this: "acted as chaser cars to stop the vehicle and issue a ticket." It would be nice, since the majority of those being stopped were probably teenagers, if a warning were issued instead. This may be the first interaction a lot of these kids have with law enforcement and it would have been a better example to let them know that they are there to protect and serve, and not just fine.
March 2, 2011 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Seatbelt Nazis.
This is a good educational tool, to show the kids what it is like to live in under an oppressive government.
March 2, 2011 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imarun_r2 (anonymous) says...
I would like to know the statistics as to how many people were pulled over and ticketted that actually had their seatbelt on the entire time. I would be one of them and I also heard of several others that this happened to.....how about we do a better job of spotting people that truly aren't wearing them. I am sorry I had a black seatbelt on and a black jacket also....Thanks for the $5 ticket and the 15 mins being late for work..NOT!
March 2, 2011 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
So...just to be clear...you explained that you had your seatbelt on to the officer and he didn't believe you or what?
March 2, 2011 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imarun_r2 (anonymous) says...
Yes thats exactly right, I told him I never get behind a wheel without it and he told me "well the officer back there said he saw you putting it on"....and gave me a ticket.
March 2, 2011 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Hey guys, I'm not complaining that they were doing this and that it was a bad idea. I'm just saying why is there not more accountability being placed on the taxpayers than the parents themselves? The first thing my dad told me when I started to drive is that you have to buckle up and be the most defensive driver you can be since your life ultimately isn't always in your own hands when you decide to drive a car. Worked for me. .
newtoemporia, I'm sorry I don't read this stuff everyday. I'm just saying that if they can have speed traps and dui checkpoints throughout all the city then why is it any different for seatbelt traps?
March 2, 2011 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissylynn_2 (anonymous) says...
So if you are an elderly person, in a nursing home, with dementia, thats always falling and hurting yourself and others, when you try to stand up out of your wheel chair, it is NOT ok to put a seatbelt on you in the nursing home. but if you are driving your car then you MUST be restrained. yeah sure makes sense to me, let the government decide when we sheep should be restrained.
i can understand protecting children, a law should be in effect restraining them, but I am an adult and i dont want or need to be told when to put my seatbelt on.
March 2, 2011 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
toofast (anonymous) says...
I hope that when all of these students reach the age to vote they remember this and get rid of this law. It was bad enough when seatbelt violations were a secondary violation. If it's your day to die a seatbelt won't save you. Nobody lives forever so you might as well enjoy your limited days on earth.
March 2, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imarun_r2 (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
March 2, 2011 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink )
chrissylynn_2 (anonymous) says...
Apparently people can't follow the basic driving rules and regulations, which would prevent accidents so the government has to make more specific laws.
We already have driving rules and regulations that if followed there would be NO traffic accidents but since people wont we have to be forced to wear a strap.
We already have a law called inattentive driving but since John Q Public ignores it the government had to make a more specific law called " dont text and drive dumbass'
talk about going in circles covering the same ground. how about the police enforce the original laws and the government quit wasting time and money making up new ones?
March 2, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
chrissylynn_2:
"We already have driving rules and regulations that if followed there would be NO traffic accidents but since people wont we have to be forced to wear a strap."
What about a person who is driving the speed limit and a tire blows and they loose control of their car ... traffic accident.
What about a person who is driving at speed limit and being attentive, a deer / dog / cat / child runs in front of their car and their antilock breaks fail, the car locks and flips ... traffic accident.
There are many reasons why accidents happen, outside of a driver failing to follow the rules of the road.
"i can understand protecting children, a law should be in effect restraining them, but I am an adult and i dont want or need to be told when to put my seatbelt on."
Driving is a privilege, not a right.
americus1987:
"I'm just saying that if they can have speed traps and dui checkpoints throughout all the city then why is it any different for seatbelt traps?"
This is a specific program that enforces seat belt laws for high school students. It's happening throughout the State of Kansas for the first two weeks of March.
March 2, 2011 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
I would prefer to see this energy put into things that will PREVENT wrecks, rather than just help reduce the damage AFTER the wreck.
Are there ever tickets given for "following too closely" or "failing to signal a turn" and other things that might directly CAUSE an accident? I never see them in the paper.
The "primary" seat belt law is overreaching and misguided. We would never have passed it in Kansas if the Federal Government had not bribed us with our own money.
Seatbelt Nazis.
March 2, 2011 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
“Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the Government's purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal well meaning but without understanding.” – Justice Louis Brandeis
March 2, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Seatbelt Nazis.
March 2, 2011 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
I read on here all the time complaints about how law enforcement isn't enforcing the law, but every time there is any story about a time they do, there are complaints about them being Nazis or jerks.
Which is it, people??????
March 2, 2011 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grunt (anonymous) says...
Buffalo,
I agree. This exercise seems to have a tinge of profiling, as well, and stings with the perception of preying on a certain market sector for nothing more than drawing attention and increasing revenue.
It's a good cost analysis benefit for the police, though. If only they could spend half as much money and gain half as much profit from the investigation and prosecution of a real crimes.
Unfortunately, these types of exercises don't serve any real benefit for the community, except to enhance the animosity between law enforcement and it's citizens.
This community would be much better served if the police would indulge in the serious crimes the community really needs their support of.
What a joke.
March 2, 2011 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen1 (anonymous) says...
Really? some of you are going to bitch about trying to keep our kids safe? Please there are other things to gripe about and this is not one of them.
March 2, 2011 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christym123 (anonymous) says...
Not wearing your seatbelt is serious. They save lives and can turn a grisly accident scene that someone will have to clean up and have nightmares about for the rest of their lives, into maybe something that is easier to live with. Ask an EMT or Paramedic whether or not seatbealts are important. And seriously, they told people they were going to do it, it was not like it was a secret. And yet still they ticketed how many people?! For pete's sake.
March 2, 2011 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christym123 (anonymous) says...
genxer,
I think a warning was issued. They let people know way ahead of time that they would be doing this, and we see how well that worked. I remember being a teen driver, and feeling invincible. And think having the bejezus scared out of you by a cop is pretty much the only thing that might stick in their "it could never happen to me" brains.
March 2, 2011 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. These kids are not going to be paying the fines, their parents are. This is not going to teach them anything, if the EPD wanted to try and actually use this as a teaching opportunity they would go after people that actually pay the fines.
Then again I would expect nothing less of the idiots that inconvenienced me last year to favor an ICE protest.
March 2, 2011 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
Thanks for clearing that up newto.
March 2, 2011 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Seat belts were always enforced on military bases so it's just muscle memory for me to buckle up. I still can't believe anyone would ride a motorcycle without protective clothing. I see people riding with t-shirts, shorts, wearing flip flops on their feet...and a bandanna for a helmet? There aught to be a law. :-)
March 2, 2011 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
@ Christym123,
You are absolutely correct about teens and feeling invincible. My sister died in a car accident when she was 17. She had only been driving for two weeks.
I only wish the police would hang out around the High School more often. I was taking my son to school a few weeks ago and was passed on a two lane road by a car full of kids. I was probably going the speed limit. The roads were covered in ice and snow and there was traffic coming in the opposite direction. I really wanted to follow them into the H.S. parking lot and get their license plate number, but my son begged me not to embarrass him, so I didn't.
I don't ever remember being told by my parents to buckle up as a kid. I started dating a guy when I was 19 and he wouldn't even start the car until I put my seat belt on. We have been married 17 years now. My parents started wearing seat belts after my sister died. I put my seat belt on without even having to think about it and my kids do as well.
I have to admit that I can't believe all of the people on here who have a problem with this effort.
March 2, 2011 at 8:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
Once again I emphasize a letter to the Editor over five years ago, why can we have a seat belt law to protect us but can't pass a helmet law for motorcycle drivers! Has anyone seen what happens in a motorcycle accident when they aren't wearing a helmet? If lawmakers and enforcers were really serious about safety instead of a way to harrass and retain federal highway dollars, they would address this issue.
March 2, 2011 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
custom (anonymous) says...
SAFE, just the new DARE. It won't work either.
March 2, 2011 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
By the way they were down in Olpe today doing the same thing. A state trooper, Emporia traffic control officer, and two sheriff deputies! Actually I wish they would go after the speeders and protect the children walking to school!
March 2, 2011 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Better get those evil jaywalkers while their at it.
March 2, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
whats the matter, wichitawings, Your old lady run off with a biker??
March 2, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
One thing justaflushaway (cute handle by the way), she's not old and she has a bike
March 2, 2011 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I think they should have used the opportunity to give WARNINGS not freaking tickets that will cost the parents a lot of money. I think it is a sneaky and underhanded thing to do. Gee, they announce DUI check points for petesake. They should have made a announcement for this just the same. SHAME ON EMPORIA PD.
March 2, 2011 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tossedcat (anonymous) says...
All right, the city of emporia will be getting some cash....maybe you can use the extra money to light up your "rocks". Seat belts might "save lives" but nobody talks about a seat belt that broke someones neck and was killed? It has happend to someone i knew :(
March 2, 2011 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
@ Hottopics,
From what I have read on the Gazette, the tickets were only $5.00. AND if you had been following....they DID announce that they were doing this.
@ Witchitawings
True that on motorcycle helmets.When I was a Senior in H.S. I was in a car, following behind a guy on a motorcycle who took a curve too fast and wiped out. We ran to help him and his teeth were literally coming out of his eye sockets. A friend of mine in the car knew the kid. He was in the Navy and in addition to not wearing a helmet that was required for military personnel....he was also not wearing a bright orange reflective vest that, at the time, was required. He was screwed. The military would not pay for his medical care related to the accident. There are rules to follow....to keep us safe....some people don't get that.
March 2, 2011 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
I was driving on a county road that I have never traveled before. It started to pour rain and I didn't see a sign that marked a curve at 20 mph. When I approached the curve, I applied my brakes and they locked. My car swerved across the highway for several hundred feet, then flipped six times in a field. The front end was smashed into the dashboard. The back end was smashed into the back seat. The roof was smashed to my head.
I was young and cocky. I was raised in a house that insisted on seat belts. But, while in college, I decided it wasn't important to buckle. That morning, as I was pulling out of the driveway, I put on my seat belt. The first time in two years.
I walked away with a broken finger ... it happened when I tried to open the driver door after the car quit flipping and the door was jammed. Without the seatbelt, I would have been dead.
I have a family member who was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was attending ESU and was driving to classes. A motorist was at a stop sign and didn't see him. They pulled out and he flew through the motorist's windshield. He was wearing a helmet, but, once he flew through the windshield, it couldn't withstand the impact of his head hitting a brick wall at a nearby business. It's ironic because, 40+ years later, a "Be Alert of Motorcyclist" sign is posted in the location of his death.
$5.00 for a ticket ... It costs more to watch a horror movie in the theatre. The fictional movie is over within a few hours. The reality of not wearing a seatbelt or inattentive driving can impact generations.
March 2, 2011 at 11:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Thank you for sharing your experience newtoemporia. I too share a similar one. A very close family member was killed when her car over-turned and she was ejected. She was not wearing a seat belt. A $5.00 or $500.00 ticket would be well worth the possibility of preventing her death. Just the possibility!
Folks on here seem to be screaming about the infringement of your rights. In reality, you have the right to ride or not to ride with a seat belt, but someday you may have to face the consequences; whether that's in term of a check to the city for a ticket or your face implanted on your front windshield, or your obituary in the newspaper.
My question to you is, do you truly want to leave the folks that surround you, love you, enjoy you, with the thought that had you worn your seat belt, you probably would be alive today?
March 3, 2011 at 12:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
SAFE actually works.... I believe the program started in Crawford county Kansas a year or so ago. So EPD, Lyon County Sheriffs, and KHP wrote some seatbelt tickets... Good, I'm glad... What excuse do the kids have? They were warned about special enforcement prior to the law enforcement presence.
So you say the parents will be paying paying all those $5 tickets....? Maybe if the parents have a problem with it they should make jr. Pay for it.... After all it's their childs life that is at stake.
Oh by the way, statute, which is what KHP and deputies enforce. While police enforce standard traffic ordinances or more commonly referred to as STO's...
It's only $5 for persons fined who are over the
age of 18... I.e. Mom or dad taking jr. To
school. No court cost...Feel free to look it up KSA 8-2503(a)...
If the person is 14-17 years of age it is $60 no court cost...(KSA 8-2503(b) ).....
If the person is under 14 years of age then it would fall as a child restraint violation. The driver would be cited $60 plus court costs. 8-1344 with actual violation as 8-1345.
People do some research before you spew your cretinous comments instantaneously summing their actions up to to much big brother or the city trying to make a dime. KHP and SO do not receive any of the proceeds. Your fines help pay to maintain the highway in which you drive on.
Why is it so hard to comprehend that the law enforcement are protecting people by doing their jobs such as they did.
Maybe getting stopped will make a lasting impression on that teen driver. Is that a positive or negative impression? Well that's to be argued and debated but seat belts do prevent unnessary injury and death. Do they prevent all death...absolutly not... Some traffic accidents it wouldn't matter if you did have it on, you would still die....but it does prevent some death and serious injury which is positive.
What does it take for fellow citizens to "wake up" regarding their own seatbelt use? 3 innocent teens lost their life? Could a seatbelt have saved them? Perhaps not, but there is a better chance one or all might still be around today had they had it on.
Kudos to EPD, Lyon County, and KHP for doing their job and attempting to make this area a safer place.
Sure there may be "more serious" crime out there and I'm sure EPD and Lyon county detectives are working on it. I would be very surprised if they were out enforcing the traffic laws and writing seatbelt tickets as part of this program...
Even if you missed the warning for this enforcement phase most people have heard, "Click it or ticket".
March 3, 2011 at 12:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I'll wear my seat belt when obese people no longer have an effect on my health insurance.
March 3, 2011 at 1:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
How long does it take to buckle a seat belt? honestly i put mine on as quick as possible if for no other reason to stop that infernal dinging of the dashboard. Its on the soundtrack to hell im sure of it. Ummm...How is this news? Im pretty sure im still seeing commercials on my television that say, "Click it or ticket." anyone else see these? The law is the law. I dont like the no smoking in businesses law, but i abide by it. Wearing your seatbelt is not a choice, its a mandate. We went over this with multiple topics. If they did this for just the high school alone, so what? I almost got clipped going the vo tech one day cause some stupid kid taking the curve on eaglecrest thought his Dodge Ram was designed to take curves at 50mph while texting. Odd part was that we both stopped, while i was seeing if he was ok, he was busy telling me what a jackass i was for not watching where he was going. "Kids" and i say that loosley because i dont see 16 as a kid anymore, need to learn they dont own the universe, or more appropriately the roads. If all they got was a five dollar ticket then they have no room to whine. I dont see this as profiling, i think they need to be watched the closest. I remember when i was 16 though i wasnt driving i rode with others. Nothings more fun than scaring your friends or impressing them with the the size and speed of your engine. You want to drive like the grown ups? deal with the crap that the rest of the grown ups deal with!
America for Americans!
March 3, 2011 at 2:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
Profiling??????? The High Schoolers will be complaining that they were being profiled. The students should be required to work off the fine with community service. It might stick for some of them then!
March 3, 2011 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
Christym123,
I agree on kinds thinking they are invincible, when talking about warnings I was eluding to a written warning AFTER being stopped. If this excercise is truly trying to teach kids something, why write them a full blown ticket? I think it would teach the kids that the police are there to protect and server them rather than to simply make money off of their mistakes. That's just my opinion.
March 3, 2011 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
Yosimite_Sam,
I agree with this statement wholeheartedly: "Maybe getting stopped will make a lasting impression on that teen driver."
I have been much more positively effected by Law Enforcement when they have been compassionate rather than when they have not. I don't blame the officers for the way this was handled as I'm sure they were instructed to hand out the tickets for this event. I just think, if your teaching a lesson, teaching it with some compassion goes a lot further.
March 3, 2011 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renew (anonymous) says...
Hottopics....why would we shame the EPD when they are taking part of an initiative to help keep our teens safe??
I am so glad they are doing this. If teens don't want tickets, they don't need a warning ahead of time...they need to follow the law and wear their seatbelts!!!
March 3, 2011 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
I'm thinking that being part of a program and this being the enforcement phase that the education phase comes in the near future. If that ticket didn't educate the teen driver enough then maybe seeing crash related photos and a movie with a sad ending will help change their minds about the topic at hand.
As far as profiling....hardly not...selective enforcement as part of an educational program absolutely.
I'm guessing after the educational phase that some time in the future the kids will be asked to hold one another accountable or the law will be back to enforce again to hopefully see an increase in seatbelt usage.
Why is it that the only whiners are those that received a ticket and those that think big brother is going about this the wrong way.
Sure as adults you make choices everyday. Perhaps to wear a seatbelt or not. But if you chose the latter for godsakes don't whine about a ticket. You have no one else to blame than yourself.
If you say I'm an adult and should be able to decide for myself and not have to face potential ticketing for being in violation then chew on this. Should a simply DUI be illegal? Afterall most of the violative are adults who make poor decisions... My point is adults do make their own decisions, good or poor. There comes a time when big brother does have to step in and provide guidance in the form of protecting ones self and others.
March 3, 2011 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
hottopics, I think they did give a warning ahead of time on KVOE and the Gazette. However, I doubt too many high school kids pay attention to those media sources. Also, as I understand it, this initiative is to enforce a new law which is passenger safety belt enforcement. Unfortunately, a lot of these new laws are not communicated very well and so a lot of people don't hear about them until they are stopped and ticketed. For instance, is everyone aware that if you have your windshield wipers on you are required to run your headlights? I'm willing to bet some don't.
March 3, 2011 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jwnks (anonymous) says...
18 1/2 months ago, I lost my 24 yo daughter in a car crash. Had she been wearing her seat belt, she might still be here today. We had even discussed seat belt usage not long before she was killed. I will tell you, none of you want to get a call from a law enforcement officer (in another state) saying the local sheriff's department will be over with pictures of someone we think is your daughter so you can identify her. It is a horrible experience to have to go through. If this exercise conducted by local law enforcement results in lives being saved, families not having to go through what we have been through, it is well worth the time & effort put into it.
March 3, 2011 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gogreen (anonymous) says...
Holy cow...all you people bitching and complaining about having to wear seatbelts are going to get a reality check one day when someone comes and smacks right into your car and you go flying through the windshield. What's 5 bucks anyways? I think these kids need to have this law crammed into their heads if you ask me.
March 3, 2011 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
hottopics, was the police dept not at the school the week before, telling the little students that how to buckle themselves in when driving or riding ?
besides, if the have a drivers license, then its their responsibility to know the laws, its a state law that was passed maybe 2 years ago that it would be enforced this year, and didn't they only give just warning the year before?
Maybe if the little children, would stop texting, stop talking on their cell phones, stop riding in the gangster position, and show no respect to others who they are suppose to share the road with, maybe they should know the LAWS!
If you little baby got a warning or a ticket, they deserved it so just pay the little child's ticket and get on with your life, and stop whining geeee. or BUT ITS FOR THE CHILDREN, AND DID THAT FIVE DOLLAR FINE KEEP YOU FROM FEEDING YOUR LITTLE CHILD BREAKFAST?? If so, the tax payers will feed your little children when they get to school. signed justaflush
March 3, 2011 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately ignorance is not an excuse. Now I totally agree that some new laws are not widely broadcast. That being said I know alot of them are for example: seatbelts becoming a primary violation and driving in the left hand lane on a multi lane highway, were covered extensively by various news media outlets.
Ultimately it is the drivers responsibility to know the laws for the area they live in. Most traffic laws are strict liability offense for which mere intent is not a required element.
March 3, 2011 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
I think wearing your seatbelt is the smart thing to do and every driver should wear one. The one thing that no one seems to realize is that this was not done, not to protect us from ourselves, but was mandated by the upper echelon of law enforcement and government so that we will not loose federal tax dollars for non-compliance of the seat belt laws. Kansas rates kind of low on compliance and has been reminded to get on the band wagon or loose $$$. I would much more like to see us have a law banning cell phone usage except for hands free while operating a motor vehicle.
March 3, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
hottopics, you bitch about having to pay the $5.00 ticket, BUT you bought your little child a car to drive, you pay for the gas that is put in the car and YOU probably lied to your insurance company that your little child is NOT the principle driver of the car as that would make your insurance a lot higher! so grow up and act like a parent with some responsibility
March 3, 2011 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
readingracer2002 (anonymous) says...
this seatbelt thing I understand it is a law and needs to be enforced but a first time ticket at $60.00 for a child in school, it happened at northern heights high school monday Feb 28th. I see where adults get a ticket for the same thing and it is $5.00, what are we paying for the gas to them to go to Northern Heights High School. If your child got a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt what was the cist of your ticket?
March 3, 2011 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
If a child is old enough to drive (16), they are old enough to work. I wouldn't pay my child's ticket. I'd tell them to get on their bike (b/c they are grounded from the car) or start pushing a lawnmower and find a job.
March 3, 2011 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
Like in my original post, the fine amount is dependent upon the age of the violator.
March 3, 2011 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
haha @ goodoleboy.
March 3, 2011 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"Why is it that the only whiners are those that received a ticket and those that think big brother is going about this the wrong way."
You should now recognize who the kids belong to that received tickets, learned behavior and attitude from their parents.
Everyone was warned of the upcoming checklane for seatbelts. It was on the radio and in the newspaper, the kids were told about at school. Excuses excuses. They have done the click or ticket campaign for a longtime now as well. You don't like being told to wear a seatbelt? Don't think you should have to wear one if you don't agree with the law? What other laws do you ignore? Follow the rules of the road or pay the fine, pretty simple concept people.
People are creatures of habit, including the way they drive. Those that get speeding tickets drive over the speed limit every single day, they just happened to get caught that one day. Of course it's the cops fault, blaming others to deflect attention away from yourself is another human trait( used often by those with low IQ's )
People that pay fines for their kids, arent allowing the education process to take effect. The kids learn nothing when Mommy and Daddy take care of the fine, make them work it off. Help them to understand there are consequences for everything they do.
March 3, 2011 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
readingracer2002 (anonymous) says...
my son is 16 he does have a job pays his own way: pays for his own gas,tv, his part of the cell phone bill. I am not complaining about him getting the ticket but the cost of the ticket.
March 3, 2011 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
Neighbor-
I'm all for the seatbelts and enforcement. I totally agree with you that some of the parents are not allowing the education process to go forth as they pay the ticket for their Childs wrong doing.
March 3, 2011 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newtoemporia (anonymous) says...
readingracer2002:
It's wonderful your son has a job and pays his own way! With this $60 ticket, will your son, in the future, always buckle? If so, this a small cost to potentially save his life.
March 3, 2011 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
What a crock!
No seatbelt has ever prevented an accident.
Focus on things that PREVENT wrecks.
I would love to see an intensive patrol to stop drivers and give warnings or tickets for failure to use turn signals, following to closely, speeding, etc. .... things that might actually CAUSE a wreck.
Seat belts are fine, but they only help to reduce the harm AFTER THE WRECK. Lets prevent the wreck instead.
March 3, 2011 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uranidiot (anonymous) says...
Two days in a row I've driven to work where this was happening. I have yet to be pulled over BECAUSE I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT.
I hate being told to do something by the government but it just makes common sense to buckle up when I get inside 2 tons of moving metal. How hard is it to figure out that your soft body will not do well slamming into glass and metal at 70 mph.
I think Darwin was right and maybe some of the people complaining about having to wear their seat belt won't and will remove themselves from the gene pool.
March 3, 2011 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Yeah, check out this girl who isn't wearing her seatbelt!
http://www.motivateusnot.com/resize.p...
Matt
March 3, 2011 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Buffalo,
Wearing seatbelts won't prevent accidents, of course not. But they will protect you and prevent your head from slamming into the windshield. It just makes good sense to wear them. Deaths often occur when the occupant is thrown from the car.
I agree with you about focusing on preventing wrecks, but let's remember, the other driver who is drunk or speeding or angry. I like to protect myself against them.
We've all seen it year after year after the first snowfall or ice storm. People drive like they've lost their minds and we have reports of accidents all over town. It's those fools I want protection from.
But preventing wrecks? Too many humans behind the wheel who aren't going to listen to anybody. If they are this adamant about not wanting the government to make them wear a seatbelt, what will attitudes be like when they are told to take defensive driving courses?
Speaking of driving courses, that is one of the classes that have been cut from most school curricula. We get what we pay for.
March 3, 2011 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality (anonymous) says...
I gather two things from what I have read here, which is to this point the only research I have done on the matter (scary). The fine is based on age, $5 for adults, which is basically code for "we don't care, do whatever you want". If you are going to write a law, make the punishment enough so that people will not break it. I got a $5 ticket, and was pissed off we wasted all that time and money on a $5 citation. It didn't seem to make much sense.
The punishments for breaking the law in this country are far to lenient, which is proven by correctional facilities throughout the country that are busting at the seams.
If the punishment for texting while driving was to cut off all your fingers, it would stop. If the punishment for stealing was to cut off your hand, it would stop. If the punishment for rape was to... Well, you get the picture. What is the point in having a law if the penalty is a slap on the wrists.
As I said before, I hope it is not difficult for people to understand why every level of government in the country is broke. We make laws, and then spend tons of money to partially enforce them.
March 3, 2011 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I worked for and have paid all expenses included with every car I have ever driven since I was 14 when I bought my first car. Everything was in my name, not my parents. That's not always possible with today's insurance rates and the cost of vehicles anymore. My first car cost me under $800 to buy it, fix it up some, insure, tag and register etc before taking it out on the road. I went thru a spell of getting multiple tickets when I was driving cars that I often drag raced, I deserved most of the attention I got from the area law enforcement. My driving habits were what caused it. There was one area KHP Trooper that took it a bit far, he seemed to know what time I was on the highway everyday and frequently pulled me over just to see if I would run from him I believed. He once wrote me for 3 mph over the speed limit. He wrote me up three other times until I learned to drive the speed limit going home. Once I started doing that, I no longer got pulled over. That's what traffic citations are for, to encourage compliance with the law, nothing more. The one and only time I was driving and was involved in a wreck, me and four of my friends were very lucky to survive because none of us were wearing seatbelts. Both cars were totalled, everybody in my car had bumps and bruises from; being slammed into the steering wheel(me), dash and windshield( front seat passenger shattered the window with his head ) and being rammed into the front seats (those setting in the back seat). The passenger behind me had a goose egg on her forehead from when our heads crashed together from the force of the crash at highway speeds. We all walked away from the accident. Looking back now, I shudder at the thought of what it could have been, how our lives could have been ended and what it would have done to our families. I've lost two friends to minor accidents, accidents with little damage to the vehicles. Both were violently thrown out of the cars, one broke his neck going out the window, the other smashed when his car rolled over him. Both weren't belted in. I'm sure their parents would have much rather paid a $60 ticket rather than paying the funeral costs.
March 3, 2011 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality (anonymous) says...
To add to that before uranidiot chimes in,
I wasn't upset about getting the ticket. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt and I deserved it. I am not upset by the law, other than I don't think the government should tell what to do when it comes to my own safety. I have issue with the enforcement.
When do you suppose they will have cops outside of McDonalds writing tickets to fat people?
March 3, 2011 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Here's a few points you anti-government types might not have thought of.
1) Children are too dumb, inexperienced, naive, immature, etc... to recognize the consequences of dangerous behavior. Therefore, if you're under 18 then you can't be trusted to understand the consequences of not buckling up, so you must be forced to buckle up by the law. This is similar to alcohol and statutory rape laws that are based on age. If you have a child in your car, it is your responsibility to make sure they're buckled-up.
2) Loose objects can become 60mph projectiles in the event of a crash. If you're not buckled up and you crash into a pole, your body could be thrown into the opposing lane causing another car to wreck. It's also possible that your body could hit an elderly woman walking her dog along the side of the road. Most people weigh 100lbs or more, so you can imagine the damage that could do when flying at 60mph.
3) To be in control of your vehicle, you must be behind the wheel. If you are jostled about in your car while not wearing a seatbelt, it would be easier for you to lose control of the car and smash into other cars or pedestrians.
4) It costs tax payer money to have emergency crews come to mend your broken body or to scrape your remains off the road. If you're still in one piece after your crash, that means less taxpayer money needed to wash the blood off the road and so forth.
5) Think of how society will be impacted by your avoidable death. Your family and friends will be sad and ultimately question their faith, your kids may be left on their own, your workplace will be without help, etc... This ripple effect will spread throughout society and have a generally negative impact. Why cause such widespread harm to our society when it is so easily preventable. Don't be selfish; just buckle up and save us the trouble.
'enry
March 3, 2011 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Seat belts create a false sense of security.
As do airbags.
We are sending a none-too-subtle message that it's okay to go ahead and drive like an idiot, because you won't get hurt.
I'd much rather see a concerted effort to address the CAUSES of wrecks, but I guess that takes too much thought and effort.
Achtung! Seat belt Nazis.
March 3, 2011 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
m slater,
ok, where did you find my picture, and better question, how did it get on the internet? too funny! keep your head down, and your butt covered.....
March 3, 2011 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gold66801 (anonymous) says...
I knew we had alot of idiots in Emporia Kansas OMG
March 3, 2011 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
Nice thing about Buffalo Breath is when he/she flies through the windshield or is ejected from the car, the insurance company can subpoena the IP address, figure out he/she is the victim and refuse to pay his/her claim.
Gosh I love this country!
Darwin was right!
March 3, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
To reality: Your question about fat people and McDonald's?
That will happen when a bunch of legislators who think they know best pass the law and the law enforcement officers are constitutionally obligated to enforce the law or risk being charged themselves. Don't kill the messenger folks. If you have issue with the laws, take it up with the folks who write them and the folks who vote for them time after time....Oh wait, that would be like people who are probably writing on this forum!!!!
March 3, 2011 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grunt (anonymous) says...
I'm with Buffalo. Law enforcement is doing no more than creating a negative impact on our citizens....and making a little money. Focus on prevention, but there's no money to be made there, I guess, and it doesn't make the paper.
And for those of you blaming the kids, you're not seeing far enough up the chain, either. It's the parents you need to be talking to, or looking in the mirror.
EPD, go do something worthwhile for a change.
March 3, 2011 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The fine for high school age children are higher than for adults who do not buckle up ! This could be the reason for targeting high school age drivers !!
See the following,
Kansas 14-17 All $60
>18 Front
(other seating positions are secondary enforcement) $10 ($5 until 7/1/11
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/la...
March 3, 2011 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
banshee (anonymous) says...
High school age drivers were not the only ones being stopped. I attend the tech college and know of at least a few students there ( who are definately not high school age) who got stopped. It was in the paper that this was going to happen. If people are too stupid to obey the laws (yes, even the seat belt law!), then somebody else has to protect them and others from themselves. If people won't even put on a seat belt, because they "don't want to be told what to do" why would they stop doing things that cause the accidents. Grow up, people. We all have to do things we don't like. That's part of being an adult. If kids want to have the privilege of driving, they need to obey the law like everybody else.
March 3, 2011 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen1 (anonymous) says...
Ok so nobody wear there seat blets/ When you are in a wreck and your brains and the inside of your body turns to scarmbled egss. YOu will have to eventually be place on govt, asst because your friends and families will not be able to afford or provide the care you will need as a vegetable. Then those of you bitching about your insureance going up cuz of fat people or you wont wear your seat belt till they fine fat people at mcdonalds, will cause my insurance to go up cuz you are a veggie drooling and crapping yourself cuz you may of prevented the extent to your injury by wearing a seat belt. Dumbass.
March 4, 2011 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
No seat belts in school buses. No child seats either. What's up with that?
March 4, 2011 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality (anonymous) says...
To flyboy and citizen1,
You are completely missing the point of what I am saying. And I didn't kill any messengers. My problem IS with the people who established the law, not those who enforce it. And the McDonalds comment is simply an example, I in no way shape or form believe that the gov't should get involved telling people what to eat. You all take everything so literally.
And citizen1, I thank you for the laugh I got reading your post full of misspelled words and grammatical errors, only to finish it by calling me a dumbass. Priceless.
March 4, 2011 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yosemite_Sam (anonymous) says...
Reality-
I know the fine bothers you as for adults it's only five dollars. However, July 1 the fine for adults goes up to $10.
March 4, 2011 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
citizen1
Let me give you a real life instance !
A friend of mine and his family were driving to Colorado for vacation !
Near Dodge City their vehicle was struck and totally destroyed by a semi that failed to stop at a connecting road all of the members of his family were wearing seatbelts except him and he was the only one that survived the crash, because he was thrown clear at the moment of impact, and they attributed the fact that he survived was because he was not wearing a seat belt. The semi truck completely crushed the vehicle that he and his family had been in and his family were crushed with the vehicle as they were wearing seat belts. I know this is just one instance where not wearing a seat belt, actually saved someones life !
March 4, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
Wow, have I stumbled into the Twilight Zone? HenryVIII has the best, most sensible post on this whole thread! Well said!
March 4, 2011 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen1 (anonymous) says...
Ya I decided to re read what I wrote! And yes dumbass is what I am today! :)
March 4, 2011 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
i am wearing my seatbelt tomorrow morning as I drive to the senior center for some tasty Lions Club biscuits and gravy. ummmm good.
March 4, 2011 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrscobra1588 (anonymous) says...
Come on people what is this really all about? It isn't the seat belt thing because you can get killed either by wearing one or not wearng one!!!!!!!!!!! Yes it does help protect you sometimes but other times it is good that you didn't have one on. I have a few friends that got into a wreck and if they did have oneon they wouldn't be here today so what is all the BS about? Cops should be out watching for bad people not just setting watching people it is also called intrampment if you can't see them.
March 7, 2011 at 12:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
mrscobra, good question. I think you and I both realize it's an anti-authority attitude that drives those who complain about the new law. The idea that cops should be out catching bad guys is just another excuse.
When you think about it, they are catching bad guys. These bad guys are the ones who make our insurance rates go sky high among other things. And that's robbery.
March 7, 2011 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
I don't have an "anti-authority" attitude, but an "anti-authoritarian" one. There are a lot of things that would help keep me safe that I'm willing to decide on myself ... I drive at reasonable speeds, follow at a safe distance, signal my turns, look out for the other guy, and generally am courteous and let the other driver go where they think they need to go, even if they are cutting me off ... I've willfully replaced my "road rage" response with a "bemusement" response ... when someone is driving stupidly, I just let them have the right of way and smile. I believe that the combination of those things makes me much safer than a mandatory seatbelt law, and if we're going to force something on drivers, I wish it would be something that would reduce the odds of THEM HITTING ME.
A bad driver who is buckled up is no less likely to hit me than a bad driver who is not buckled up.
I want the police to help keep me safe by enforcing laws that actually involve the safe operation of vehicles on the roadway. Being seatbelt Nazis doesn't do that. Ticketing people for inattentive driving, following too closely and cutting off other cars, failing to signal turns ... that's the sort of thing that would really tend to make us safer while still retaining a little shred of liberty and self-responsibility.
I am "Anit-MISGUIDED-USE-OF-Authority", I suppose.
March 7, 2011 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Shall I add that the spectacle of over-zealous enforcement of unreasonable laws (even if it is paid for by Magic Money from a Federal grant) erodes respect for all laws ...?
Anybody remember driving across Western Kansas when the speed limit on I-70 was 55mph? That law made criminals out of a lot of us. People don't tend to follow laws they don't respect, and when overzealous enforcement is piled on, they tend not to respect many laws at all.
March 7, 2011 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Well Buffalo, perhaps "enforcement of unreasonable laws" can be attributed to low hanging fruit.
March 7, 2011 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Drove by two stopped cars on 6th ave this morning. A couple blocks down the road was the spotter. So they are not targeting just students.
March 7, 2011 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
With $3.50 a gallon gas there will be less criminals driving. It will be that by this weekend.
March 7, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
I wish people would research the term "Nazi" before using it against people who pledge their lives to make sure the rest of us never experience what happened in Nazi Germany.
March 7, 2011 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
photobuggy2 (anonymous) says...
Maybe the parents will pay the tickets and maybe they won't. They were warned so they have no one to blame but themselves. Teens aren't stupid, the've been in seatbelts from the time they were born, and know its the law. So they get a ticket...Wah! I personally believe the fine should go up each time a person is ticketed.
imarun_r2...if you had your seatbelt on then fight the ticket.
March 8, 2011 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uranidiot (anonymous) says...
Reality
Its not McDonald's food making people fat. Its sitting on their rumps watching American Idol that's doing it. You can eat the food as long as you work the calories off. A hundred years ago people worked hard all day and ate unhealthy meals at home. Obesity was not the norm then. I think it's a far leap from enforcing safety to peoples health.
Maybe you're right, it's not the Governments job to baby sit stupid people. Stupid people just don't have the thought capacity to realize that the two ton death machine they drive can and will kill them with out stupid people taking precautions.
And before your rebuttal, I'm not calling you stupid.
Have a great day, wear your seat belt.
March 10, 2011 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uranidiot (anonymous) says...
Did I get the comments taking down? Sorry if I did.
March 10, 2011 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissylynn_2 (anonymous) says...
no more comments? really? thats no good
March 10, 2011 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )