FL driver issued seatbelt-violation initially fumes

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.wpbf.com/news/25005842/detail.html

Driver Thanks Officer Who Gave Him Ticket

Port St. Lucie Man Now Grateful He Received $130 Citation

UPDATED: 2010/19/15 15:36 EDT

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- When Stephen Carroll got a ticket in June for not wearing his seat belt, he was not pleased. He started buckling up -- not because he was a believer, but because he didn't want another $130 citation.

Then, three weeks later, something life-altering happened.

"Forty years of driving, (I've) never been in a car accident," Carroll said.

But less than a mile from his home, his van was plowed into by a driver who ran a stop sign. The van completely overturned and then landed on its wheels.

Carroll knows his seat belt made all the difference.

"I had my seat belt on, and I can't imagine what would've happened to me if I didn't have my seat belt," Carroll said.

The father of two reached out to the Port St. Lucie police officer who wrote the ticket. Sgt. Kacey Donnell said he initially thought Carroll was calling to complain.

"I've gotten choice gestures and quite a few words and expletives -- even had people, you know, tell me (they) hope I get shot," Donnell said.

Instead, he was stunned to receive a thank you.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Donnell said. "In 13 years of law enforcement, I've never had anybody contact me back to thank me for issuing them a citation."

Carroll admits he only wore his seat belt because of the ticket, but now he's thankful that he did.

"If I did not get a ticket, I would not have been wearing a seat belt that day," Carroll said. "That's a conclusion I can be certain of."

[trillium13 84]

I don't get the whole aversion to wearing a seatbelt thing.

[Danno 1,228]

http://www.wpbf.com/news/25005842/detail.html

Yah man!....a new convert to gov. protecting people... from themselves

perhaps if the health department requires him to work out three times a week and eat healthy he will thank them for that too?

THe role of Government should be limited to- Protecting you from the damage or harm "others do to you"...... not risk people wish to take on their own body or property.

I recall when these seatbelt laws first started here, we were reassured:

-citations were only if minors were not seatbelted.

- you could only be ticketed if you were stopped for some other reason.

- it was "only" twenty five bucks.

THis news report of another follower of the Nanny-State has'ta warm your heart.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Danno