Buckle up! - or else

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
May 27, 2011

On May 18th the Woodstock P.D. conducted a seatbelt enforcement campaign on Route 47, just north of Lake Avenue.

Hours: 9:30AM to 3:30PM

Manhours? 31.25

There were 58 unrestrained-occupant citation issued, and each victim (err, violator) will cough up $60, if he doesn't fight it. So that's $3,480 in fines.

Zero warnings were issued, which is as it should be. You either have your seatbelt on, or you don't.

One child-restraint citation was issued. That one will cost the driver $120.

One unlicensed driver was nabbed, and there was one arrest of possession of cannabis.

Frankly, I'm surprised that there were 58 seatbelt tickets issued in the six daytime hours of the campaign.

For me, the question is, does sucking $3,600 out of the community result in fewer deaths and injuries than, say, putting up an electronic sign on a trailer, reading "Buckle up, or pull over and pay $60"? By now, drivers know the law requires them to be buckled up.

Occasionally, somebody might forget. Should the hit be $60?