alanburkhart.com: Click It or Ticket

Click It Or Ticket
June 4, 2005 by Alan Burkhart

I'm so glad no one was watching while I did this.

Oh boy! I made it through another National "Click it or Ticket" week without getting a ticket (I don't click it). First, let me say that I recognize the fact that seatbelts can save your life in an accident. However, who is government to require intelligent adults to wear them? Excuse me, but if I as a competent, licensed, and insured adult wish to drive without being tied to the driver's seat shouldn't that be my choice to make?

I don't need a bunch of traffic cops trying to be my babysitter. I should be able to hop into my car (or my truck) and go anywhere I doggone well please, without a seatbelt, and WITHOUT having to worry over some overly zealous and bored state trooper pulling me over and writing me a ticket because I choose to be comfortable.

During Click It Or Ticket Week I e-mailed the appropriate offices in Virginia and Missouri and blasted them over their obviously revenue-based enforcement of the seatbelt laws. My e-mail is posted below, along with the replies I received from each state. I have removed the e-mail addresses and names of these folks because I didn't mention to them that I planned to post their replies. I figured that if I'd let'em know ahead of time I'd have never gotten a response.

I Said...
"Click it or Ticket" is nothing more than another example of intrusive law enforcement. I don't wear seatbelts. I've been a cross-country trucker for 27 years and the only time I "wear" a seatbelt is during these ridiculous enforcement orgies that are little more than revenue generators. During these times I pull it down across my chest to create the appearance of compliance. I NEVER lock into place. I never will. My body, my choice. You people need to get a life of your own and stay out of mine.
Sincerely
Alan Burkhart

Missouri Said...
I am responding to your email regarding the Click It or Ticket campaign efforts and appreciate your comments. I realize I probably couldn't say anything to change your mind about wearing your safety belt and and that is unfortunate. The Division partners with safety advocates across the state that work in the fields of law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, engineers, etc. While I haven't had to respond to a traffic crash or give family members news of a death, I couldn't possibly imagine what that might be like. I assure you that all of us are dedicated to saving the lives of others. Missouri supports the efforts of the Click It or Ticket Campaign because we know that safety belts can save lives and reduce serious injuries. It is our hope that less tickets are written for safety belt violations or any other traffic offense because that would mean more people are buckling up and driving safely on our roadways.

The Highway Safey Division, housed within the Missouri Department of Transportation, receives federal funding to intitiate traffic safety programs in the state. Our mission is to reduce fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle crashes on Missouri roadways. Increasing safety belt use within the state is one of the most effective ways to accomplish that goal.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your comments with us.
(name removed), Operations Specialist
MoDOT, Highway Safety Division

Virginia Said...
Dear Mr. Burkhart:
Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Stockton, Director of the Bureau of Field Operations for the Virginia State Police asked that I thank you for and respond to your e-mail of May 27, 2005 concerning the enforcement of safety belt laws.

I regret your displeasure with the safety belt laws of Virginia and the efforts of the State Police to increase the usage rate among vehicle occupants and prevent personal injuries and fatalities from occurring on our highways.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to wear safety belts. Section 392.16 of the FMCSRs (49 CFR 392.16) states, "A commercial motor vehicle which has a safety belt assembly installed at the driver's seat shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself/herself with the safety belt assembly."

There is no more a daunting task facing law enforcement than the prevention of 40,000 traffic fatalities each year in our nation and nearly 1,000 each year in Virginia.

To put this in a better perspective motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every single age from 4 through 33 years of age.

An average of 115 people die each day in a motor vehicle crash.

There is one highway death somewhere in our nation every 13 minutes.

Please be assured that it is not the responsibility of the State Police to enact the traffic laws currently in effect in the Commonwealth.

However it is our responsibility to the citizenry of this Commonwealth to enforce the criminal and traffic laws enacted through the legislative process to provide a safe travel environment on our highways.
(name removed)
(title removed)
Virginia State Police

I thought Missouri's response was fairly straight-forward and honest. Virginia, on the other hand dodged the whole thing by quoting a gob of numbers that I could have gotten myself and then gave me the old line about how the cops don't make the laws, they just enforce them. Uh huh... If some cop sees a member of his own family or a prominent politician (who could cost him his job) running down the road without a seatbelt, do you REALLY believe that person would get a ticket?

FEEDBACK:

Alan ...
When the seatbelt laws were first instituted I said -- as you're saying now -- that the state has a perfect right to prevent me from injuring others. It has no right whatsoever to regulate what I do to protect (or jeopardize) my own body. In deference to wifely wishes I use the damned thing, and by now it is absolute reflex to snap in before backing down the driveway. But my wishy-washy compliance does nothing to change the principle here.

I don't feel either state answered your objection ... that it's none of the state's damned business whether you choose to to use a safety belt or not. They both preached the "saving lives" line. But that is mere thoughtless bureaucratic piffle. It does NOT address the issue. If in some way I can help others save their lives, great. Whether I go to any effort to prolong mine is my business.
Dave

Alan! Have you lost your mind?!
Paul

I always use a seatbelt -- it is just a habit that I have. I have never even been in an accident where an airbag was deployed. I think AZ has the highest rate of seatbelt use -- about 95%. In spite of this, I tend to agree with you that it should be your choice unless it can be shown that the fact that some drivers don't wear seatbelts costs us all by increased insurance rates or in some other way.
Kent



	Click It Or Ticket June 4, 2005 by Alan Burkhart Oh boy! I made it through another National "Click it or Ticket" week without getting a ticket (I don't click it). First, let me say that I recognize the fact that seatbelts can save your life in an accident. However, who is government to require intelligent adults to wear them? Excuse me, but if I as a competent, licensed, and insured adult wish to drive without being tied to the driver's seat shouldn't that be my choice to make? I don't need a bunch of traffic cops trying to be my babysitter. I should be able to hop into my car (or my truck) and go anywhere I doggone well please, without a seatbelt, and WITHOUT having to worry over some overly zealous and bored state trooper pulling me over and writing me a ticket because I choose to be comfortable. During Click It Or Ticket Week I e-mailed the appropriate offices in Virginia and Missouri and blasted them over their obviously revenue-based enforcement of the seatbelt laws. My e-mail is posted below, along with the replies I received from each state. I have removed the e-mail addresses and names of these folks because I didn't mention to them that I planned to post their replies. I figured that if I'd let'em know ahead of time I'd have never gotten a response. I Said... "Click it or Ticket" is nothing more than another example of intrusive law enforcement. I don't wear seatbelts. I've been a cross-country trucker for 27 years and the only time I "wear" a seatbelt is during these ridiculous enforcement orgies that are little more than revenue generators. During these times I pull it down across my chest to create the appearance of compliance. I NEVER lock into place. I never will. My body, my choice. You people need to get a life of your own and stay out of mine. Sincerely Alan Burkhart Missouri Said... I am responding to your email regarding the Click It or Ticket campaign efforts and appreciate your comments. I realize I probably couldn't say anything to change your mind about wearing your safety belt and and that is unfortunate. The Division partners with safety advocates across the state that work in the fields of law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, engineers, etc. While I haven't had to respond to a traffic crash or give family members news of a death, I couldn't possibly imagine what that might be like. I assure you that all of us are dedicated to saving the lives of others. Missouri supports the efforts of the Click It or Ticket Campaign because we know that safety belts can save lives and reduce serious injuries. It is our hope that less tickets are written for safety belt violations or any other traffic offense because that would mean more people are buckling up and driving safely on our roadways. The Highway Safey Division, housed within the Missouri Department of Transportation, receives federal funding to intitiate traffic safety programs in the state. Our mission is to reduce fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle crashes on Missouri roadways. Increasing safety belt use within the state is one of the most effective ways to accomplish that goal. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your comments with us. (name removed), Operations Specialist MoDOT, Highway Safety Division Virginia Said... Dear Mr. Burkhart: Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Stockton, Director of the Bureau of Field Operations for the Virginia State Police asked that I thank you for and respond to your e-mail of May 27, 2005 concerning the enforcement of safety belt laws. I regret your displeasure with the safety belt laws of Virginia and the efforts of the State Police to increase the usage rate among vehicle occupants and prevent personal injuries and fatalities from occurring on our highways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to wear safety belts. Section 392.16 of the FMCSRs (49 CFR 392.16) states, "A commercial motor vehicle which has a safety belt assembly installed at the driver's seat shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself/herself with the safety belt assembly." There is no more a daunting task facing law enforcement than the prevention of 40,000 traffic fatalities each year in our nation and nearly 1,000 each year in Virginia. To put this in a better perspective motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every single age from 4 through 33 years of age. An average of 115 people die each day in a motor vehicle crash. There is one highway death somewhere in our nation every 13 minutes. Please be assured that it is not the responsibility of the State Police to enact the traffic laws currently in effect in the Commonwealth. However it is our responsibility to the citizenry of this Commonwealth to enforce the criminal and traffic laws enacted through the legislative process to provide a safe travel environment on our highways. (name removed) (title removed) Virginia State Police I thought Missouri's response was fairly straight-forward and honest. Virginia, on the other hand dodged the whole thing by quoting a gob of numbers that I could have gotten myself and then gave me the old line about how the cops don't make the laws, they just enforce them. Uh huh... If some cop sees a member of his own family or a prominent politician (who could cost him his job) running down the road without a seatbelt, do you REALLY believe that person would get a ticket? FEEDBACK: Alan ... When the seatbelt laws were first instituted I said -- as you're saying now -- that the state has a perfect right to prevent me from injuring others. It has no right whatsoever to regulate what I do to protect (or jeopardize) my own body. In deference to wifely wishes I use the damned thing, and by now it is absolute reflex to snap in before backing down the driveway. But my wishy-washy compliance does nothing to change the principle here. I don't feel either state answered your objection ... that it's none of the state's damned business whether you choose to to use a safety belt or not. They both preached the "saving lives" line. But that is mere thoughtless bureaucratic piffle. It does NOT address the issue. If in some way I can help others save their lives, great. Whether I go to any effort to prolong mine is my business. Dave Alan! Have you lost your mind?! Paul I always use a seatbelt -- it is just a habit that I have. I have never even been in an accident where an airbag was deployed. I think AZ has the highest rate of seatbelt use -- about 95%. In spite of this, I tend to agree with you that it should be your choice unless it can be shown that the fact that some drivers don't wear seatbelts costs us all by increased insurance rates or in some other way. Kent
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