Buckle up or pay the fine

Florida’s new seat belt law takes effect today and the Highway patrol says it plans to enforce that law very strictly. The Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law mandates the use of seatbelts in motor vehicles, effective June 30, 2009. The law makes not buckling up a primary enforceable action which means police can pull you over if they see you aren’t wearing your seat belt. Police previously could write seat belt tickets only if they stopped motorists for speeding or other offenses. Florida Highway Patrol troopers say they will write $30 tickets for anyone caught not wearing a belt. They won't be giving any warnings. The National Highway Safety Administration has estimated the new law will save 124 lives and prevent 1,733 serious injuries in Florida every year.