Almost one month after South Carolina's tougher seat-belt law took effect, more than 6,700 tickets had been written by Highway Patrol troopers. That's up considerably from the 2,547 tickets written the month before the new regulations came on the books, reported The State newspaper.
Our state routinely has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the nation, and 75 percent of the people who die annually on state roads are not wearing seat belts. Many factors contribute to the unsafe roads in South Carolina, and a casual attitude about wearing seat belts certainly is one.
The new seat-belt law has a modest fine of only $25 (a total of $50 per car). A spokesman for the Richland County Sheriff's Office told The State his department was writing warnings for seat-belt violations. The new law probably will have little impact if drivers don't feel at least a little sting when they are caught ignoring a law that will save lives.