seat belt ticket - Page 3

rocketraider · September 11th, 2008

If in fact this LEO forced this family to walk home IN RAIN, that goes beyond believing he was doing the right thing. It certainly goes beyond common sense. It gets into the realm of badge going to his head.

Cops fresh out of the academy are always the worst about common-sense issues, because they don't have the experience to make a judgment call and rely totally on procedures. If it ain't in black and white...

I repeat my conviction that seat belt laws were created at the behest of insurance companies, who are one of the most powerful lobbies in any statehouse. Common sense will tell you to wear them, but legislating their use simply opens doors for increased revenue collection. Common sense should also tell you that there ARE still vehicles around with no provision for seat belts. And the craziest of all- it's a point/fine offense for a kid to not be buckled or restrained in a private vehicle, but then there's no requirement for them to be buckled/restrained in a school bus??!! 'Scuse, that's a government-owned vehicle...

Unless the laws of VA have changed, law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency vehicle drivers are also not required to buckle up. I know several volunteer firefighters who take full advantage of that proviso whether they're responding to tone or not. They also know that firefighter plate will let them get away with things.

Bluesky636 · September 11th, 2008

Originally Posted By: rocketraider

If in fact this LEO forced this family to walk home IN RAIN, that goes beyond believing he was doing the right thing. It certainly goes beyond common sense. It gets into the realm of badge going to his head.

Cops fresh out of the academy are always the worst about common-sense issues, because they don't have the experience to make a judgment call and rely totally on procedures. If it ain't in black and white...

I repeat my conviction that seat belt laws were created at the behest of insurance companies, who are one of the most powerful lobbies in any statehouse. Common sense will tell you to wear them, but legislating their use simply opens doors for increased revenue collection. Common sense should also tell you that there ARE still vehicles around with no provision for seat belts. And the craziest of all- it's a point/fine offense for a kid to not be buckled or restrained in a private vehicle, but then there's no requirement for them to be buckled/restrained in a school bus??!! 'Scuse, that's a government-owned vehicle...

Unless the laws of VA have changed, law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency vehicle drivers are also not required to buckle up. I know several volunteer firefighters who take full advantage of that proviso whether they're responding to tone or not. They also know that firefighter plate will let them get away with things.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1094

There does NOT appear to be an exemption for ambulance drivers or firefighters.

bassman · September 17th, 2008

hey yall.went to da's office yesturday and they told me i have to dispute it in court. so i guess i have to hire a laywer.as far as the officer i was talking to the secratary at the da's office and she said they hear at least once a month a complaint about him.

MCHinson · September 17th, 2008

I would suggest that you do not deal with a secretary. You need to speak with either your elected District Attorney or else the Assistant District Attorney who is scheduled to prosecute in the courtroom that your ticket is set for on the day your case is set. The District Attorney should be able to read the law, if not familiar with it, and should immediately know that your car is exempt and should dismiss your case. You should not need to spend any money for an attorney because your car is exempt from the statute that you are charged with violating.

bassman · September 17th, 2008

ya, now that i talked to her how am i going to get an appointment? she will probaly just tell me the same thing. i don't know why something so easy is being so difficult. im not really good at the talking thing to defend myself,people half the time dont understand me. i just wana get this resolved but i can't get no help from no one. so it makes me think if i get a laywer he can go thru the wright channels,cause no one gives me the light of day.i just wana take my car out but now i am afraid of getting harassed and having to go tru this all over again.

R W Burgess · September 17th, 2008

Bassman, you don't need a lawyer.
Just read the state law and bring the law book "number" to court, proving your case. If the judge is confused he will read the law book and make the correct decision. No point in spending money unnecessarily.
Wayne

MCHinson · September 17th, 2008

Bassman, check your private messages.

MCHinson · September 21st, 2008

Since I know some people want an update and Bassman has not gotten around to posting it, I will steal his thunder....

Bassman's seat belt ticket has been dismissed by the District Attorney.

Bhigdog · September 21st, 2008

Quote:

Bassman's seat belt ticket has been dismissed by the District Attorney.

It's good to hear SOMEONE in that juristiction has a handle on the law and some common sense. I've always considered law officers a friend and am glad to have them around but when I hear of a bad apple mis-using what should be a position of trust it really makes my blood boil.......Bob

Merv · September 22nd, 2008

How was the allegation of making the family walk home in the rain addressed?