TAMPA - Major Ryan Burchnell, commander of the Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop C, reminds motorists that starting Tuesday, June 30, Florida’s new Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law will allow law enforcement officers to stop and cite drivers when they observe violations of the state’s safety belt law.
The new law allows for the primary enforcement of Florida’s safety belt requirements, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates will prevent 124 fatalities and more than 1,700 serious injuries in Florida each year.
All front seat passengers must be buckled-up, and any passengers younger than 18 must wear them no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children age 3 and younger must be in a federally approved child restraint device, while children age 4 and 5 must be in a seatbelt, separate carrier or integrated child seat. Drivers are also reminded that they are responsible for the safety of their passengers under the age of 18 and may be cited for each seatbelt violation.
“We are committed to educating motorists and modifying driver behavior to ensure that they buckle up,” Burchnell said. “However, we will continue our policy of zero tolerance for violators. The Florida Highway Patrol does not give warnings for safety belt violations.”
