This weekend I got a seatbelt ticket for "improperly wearing" my seatbelt. I had it clicked in and had my left arm over the belt instead of over my shoulder like you're "supposed" to. I was aware it was recomended to wear it over your shoulder i just didnt't think it was illegal. What ever happened to warnings? Especially when it is a first time offence! Whats the difference, I mean older cars and school buses don't even have the shoulder belt. Anyone ever heard of a BS ticket like this? Anyway to fight it, because $247.00 is a little much for this ticket I think. I am in Canada
2007-03-26 02:35:24 · 8 answers · asked by Vanessa 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Susie D - "was aware it was recomended to wear it over your shoulder i just didnt't think it was illegal." Did you read that. That doesn't say "I knew" because trust me if "I knew" I wouldn't have this ticket. Also about the whole reasoning for the shoulder belt, then what about buses, backseats and older vehicles? Not necessary there... hmmmmm
2007-03-26 02:56:11 · update #1
Same goes to you Dude. I didn't know it was illegal!!
2007-03-26 02:59:04 · update #2
It sounds a little ridiculous to me. Atleast you were wearing your seat belt. You would think he would have atleast gave you a warning and told you to wear it properly in the future. I would definetely fight it. That seems like an awful lot for a first time offense.
2007-03-26 02:44:45 · answer #1 · answered by sea_sher 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I probably would have given a warning but I didn't have to. If I was working a seat belt interdiction program specifically designed to ticket seat belt violations then I would have wrote a hard ticket. Regardless though, look at what you are saying. You admit to not wearing it right, then when caught you expect a warning. If you shot at someone intending on hitting them but missed, should you be given a warning and let go? A 247.00 fine will remind you next time to wear it right.
2007-03-26 09:52:11 · answer #2 · answered by dude0795 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An improperly worn seat belt is as useless as not wearing one. The idea of being over the shoulder is to prevent being ejected as well as distributing the impact of a crash over the entire torso. By putting it under your arm you are at risk of both ejection and thoracic injury in an impact.
If you knew you were wearing it wrong, then why are you disputing a ticket? You "knew" - you got busted - bummer for you, but such is life - take a chance and take the consequences.
2007-03-26 09:44:44 · answer #3 · answered by Susie D 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, it is the law. And ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You can try to fight it under the premise that you did not know it was illegal, but it probably will not go in your favor.
With that said, I think seat belt laws are B.S., with the exception of requiring minors to wear them. I do wear mine, but not because it is the law, but because I think it is the right thing to do. The problem I have with the laws is that they are protecting me from me. That is not what I feel laws are for. They should protect me from other people.
2007-03-26 10:39:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mutt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does seem a little harsh for a first offense, provided you were polite and didn't argue with the officer. If you were arguementive, oh, well.
Here in the States we can plead guilty with a explanation. This will sometimes get a reduction in a fine.
2007-03-26 09:47:50 · answer #5 · answered by Patricia S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not know Canada Law but and this sounds like a BS law. But as with most traffic violations there is no point in fighting it because its your word against the officer's. And in the court of law the officer almost always wins. And if you try to fight it ,win or lose, you have to pay court fees. Unless Canada is different than the US.
2007-03-26 09:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by Tha Truth 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Laws are for your protection. If you dont agree fight it .No such thing as a bs ticket Think safety not BS....
2007-03-26 09:43:50 · answer #7 · answered by Grand pa 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
SEATbelts save lives,. be careful,.
http://www.transportation.ca
2007-03-26 13:28:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋