Scores snagged in seat belt campaign

Drivers who don’t buckle up when they get behind the wheel may learn a costly lesson this month, as state and local agencies carry out a ‘click it or ticket’ enforcement campaign.
Last weekend, the Marianna Police Department alone cited 52 drivers for the offense.
Each will have to cough up $116 to pay the ticket.
Capt. Bill Bryant of the Marianna police said Monday he thinks many of motorists may not have realized just how expensive the infraction would be.
“Across the line in Alabama, I understand that it’s $10 for a seat belt violation,” Bryant said. “People may not know that it costs a lot more in Florida.”
In a pre-enforcement survey of drivers, a Marianna police officer observed 100 cars as they traveled through a busy intersection in town. Of those, 76 drivers were buckled up. Bryant didn’t know how the roughly 25 percent non-compliance rate compared to other areas of the state.
Bryant said drivers should be aware that the enforcement campaign will continue through the end of this month.
As the Christmas holidays approach, it is not uncommon for law enforcement to focus on traffic violations such as seat belt non-compliance.
Bryant said it’s an excellent time for drivers to make a full commitment to buckling up every time they get behind the wheel.