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Article: TICKETING CITED DESPITE CURBS ON SEAT BELT LAW
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- May 24, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Despite a state law that bans police from pulling drivers over for
seat belt violations alone, tens of thousands of Massachusetts
drivers have been ticketed and fined solely for not buckling up,
according to a Globe review of state records.
Officers can legally stop cars for speeding or another traffic
offense, then cite the driver only for not being in a seat belt.
Police and state officials said officers are using their discretion
to drive home a safety message while sparing drivers heavy fines and
costlier insurance.
But critics said police appear to be circumventing the law by
stopping motorists solely for not wearing a seat belt.
As traffic safety officials promote the nationwide Click ...