Skip to main content

Batavia PD issues 105 tickets during 'buckle-up' campaign

By Howard B. Owens

From May 23 through June 4, Batavia Police participated in a statewide Buckle-Up New York campaign and issued 105 citations during that period.

Citations were issued for seat belt violations as well as talking on mobile phones and equipment violations.

In all, officers logged 140 hours working the buckle-up detail.

Police officials said the goal of the campaign was to address the dangers of seat belt and mobile phone violations through aggressive enforcement.

Doug Yeomans

Doesn't sound like much of a profit margin to me. Seat belt tickets have a $100 fine? Between the man hours from the police, court fees, fuel burned getting to court and back home and inconveniencing people, what's the whole point? What is the positive outcome of all of this? People shouldn't have to wear the seat belt if they don't want to (lets not forget that motorcycles don't have them).

People should be paying attention while they're driving and shouldn't be yapping on the phone but I do it all the time. Didn't we have CB's in vehicles years ago? Don't drivers talk to passengers all the time?

If people drive recklessly, what difference does it make what they're doing at the time? Talking on the phone while driving doesn't automatically mean you were driving recklessly. Some people can chew gum and read a book at the same time.

I know it's probably not a popular opinion, but these "click it or ticket" details are nothing more than sanctioned snooping and don't make anyone safer for the effort.

Jun 8, 2011, 4:55pm Permalink
George Richardson

Last week, in a suburb of Austin Tx., a cop gave a ten year old a ticket for improper use of a seatbelt. The kid stated that the officer told him to sign his signature. He said he didn't have a signature, he was only ten years old, so he printed his name. They dropped the charges yesterday.
Dads everywhere, talk to your kids to avoid stupid stuff like this in the future. It is your job and you know it.

Jun 8, 2011, 5:22pm Permalink
Jeremiah Pedro

I'm going to make sure my kids have their signatures down pat by the age of 7 and a half. Just so they can avoid any similar embarrassment.

Jun 8, 2011, 7:37pm Permalink

Authentically Local