By Amy Joles
(Contact / Staff Bio)
May 27, 2009 - 10:07 a.m. EST
TUSCOLA COUNTY — When the flashing red and blue lights turn on, motorists take note.
Over the weekend, those lights went on again and again as motorists were pulled over during the a Seatbelt Enforcement Zone effort, conducted by the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office.
Several zones were set up from Thursday, May 21 - Saturday, May 23. A total of 38 tickets were issued and one arrest was made during the operation. Overall, 56 vehicles were investigated, involving 81 people.
The enforcement zones were made possible through the “Safe Communities” Traffic Safety Grant, authorized by the Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Sheriff’s Lt. James Giroux said he was pleased with the weekend’s results.
“Some people waved, others pulled out their belts to let me see that they were wearing them,” he said.
Still others had some harsh words and gestures - and lots of excuses - for the officers.
“If they want to be idiots, we let them be idiots,” he said. “Most people don’t act like that.”
Regardless of the attitudes and excuses, the enforcement effort was successful in finding multiple violators.
On Thursday, officers were stationed at M-81 on the west end of Caro. During that effort, nine seatbelt violations were issued, along with one equipment violation for a motorist with a broken seatbelt.
Friday’s efforts at M-24 and Frank Street produced a total of 24 tickets - 16 for seatbelt violations, two for child restraint violations, two disregarded stop light violations, two expired plates, one no-insurance violation and one loud exhaust violation.
The Sheriff’s Office also did nighttime enforcement in Vassar and Tuscola Townships on Saturday evening, resulting in four tickets, including a seatbelt violation. Other tickets were issued for driving on a suspended license, speeding and failure to dim headlights.
“We targeted the area based on accident statistics,” said Giroux. “Statistically, that is the area there were the most drunk driving accidents in the last year. Now, it has moved to the other side of the county, so we may have to go there.”
Giroux said another belt enforcement zone will be conducted Friday, May 29 at M-15 at the southern village limits of Millington. Large signs that are posted at the intersection will warn motorists that they are in a traffic enforcement zone.
“If they can read the signs or read the paper, they should know,” said Giroux.
Nighttime enforcement will also take place in the Vassar and Tuscola Township area on May 30th.
Giroux advised people to “click it or ticket,” since the enforcement zones are operating on a zero-tolerance policy.
Through the month of May, neighboring counties are also participating in stepped-up traffic enforcement zones by way of similar grant awards.
Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.
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May 28, 2009
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i think it is just plain stupid to tell these people where you are going to set up a watch zone for seatbelts, this isn't a speed trap we are talking about, WHEN YOU TELL THEM THEY CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR, BUT ONLY FOR THAT DAY, you need to change the behavior for long term and that can only be accomplished if they don't know when you are going looking for them and if it costs them in the pocket book, TELLING THEM AHEAD OF TIME ONLY CAUSES SHORT TERM BEHAVIOR CHANGE, JUST UNTIL THEY PASS THE ENFORCEMENT ZONE AND THEN OFF GOES THE SEAT BELT. as far as the parents go with the carseats most just need education on how their seat is in wrong, if they aren't using a seat or a seat belt at all for their kids then ticket the hell out of them for putting their CHILDS LIFE AT RISK, WHEN IT CUTS INTO THE BEER BUDGET THEN THEY WILL START BUCKLEING UP THEIR CHILDREN AND THEMSELVES.