Idaho State Police to patrol for seatbelt safety -receive $13,000 to cover overtime pay

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[chance33_98]

Idaho State Police to patrol for seatbelt safety

06/29/2003

Associated Press

BOISE -- Idaho State Police officers will receive $13,000 to cover overtime pay as they enforce the new seatbelt law that goes into effect Tuesday.

The new law comes on the heels of a recent surge in traffic accident fatalities in the southern part of the state. Since May, I-S-P officers have investigated eleven fatal accidents.

Officials link the increase to seatbelt usage. Seven of the most recent fatalities might have been prevented if drivers and passengers had been wearing their safety belts.

The law -- signed by Governor Dirk Kempthorne in April -- doubles the fine for not wearing a seatbelt from five dollars to ten dollars. Also, drivers may be fined for not requiring passengers under 18 to buckle up.

The additional overtime pay will be used to increase the number of patrols across the state, and officials say they will be keeping an eye out for seatbelts.

[templar]

Seatbelt laws are one of the few traffic laws I disagree with. If someone wants to increase the risk of death or injury to themselves that's their own business. Legislation can be structured so that unnescessary fatalities or injuries to those not wearing their belts are not passed on to other drivers in the form of increased liability (which is the only justification for seatbelt laws in my view). The under 18 part of the laws I can somewaht accept as rightful.

[CalvaryJohn]

Amen. Ditto for helmets. BTW, I fastiduously wear both. Don't tread on me.

[AlaskaErik]

Amen. Ditto for helmets. BTW, I fastiduously wear both. Don't tread on me.

I wear neither. The day we have a helmet law is the day I put my motorcycle up for sale. The real joy of riding comes from the wind hitting your face and blowing through your hair. A helmet would ruin that. As for seat belts, I don't bother with them around town, but I do wear them on the open road. But I don't believe we need to divert finite law enforcement resources on a witch hunt.