Posted by  Cheri Bickley, Merritt Island,Fl. on 10/13  at  05:05 PM

I don’t think it should just be teens that are targeted about seatbelts.It should be anyone who drives a motor vehicle.They should do this in all the county’s of Florida.

Posted by  Lucy Rose, Tampa, Florida on 10/13  at  03:37 PM

As my oldest son is getting ready to become an independent driver, this is one of my fears. Most teens think that it is “not cool” to wear selt belts. I constantly remind him and all other passengers in my vehicle to buckle up. As well as the driving lessons he got in driving school, however, I am not sure how is he going to apply this when alone. It is my opinion that a $75.00 ticket could be an option to force them to do it!

Posted by  Jerrika Rice, Plant City on 10/13  at  03:07 PM

Just an idea… I have put my seatbelt on the moment I started driving and never forget.  This is all do to a loving father who from day one would not start that car until everyone was buckled.  Thinking about it now reminds me of his gentle “Seatbelt!” reminder.  If there are parents of young children out there, try it out.  It’s never to early to instill safety in your children.  It obviously worked on me.

Posted by  CHARLES ANDREWS, TAMPA on 10/13  at  02:29 PM

DEAR PENNY FROM TAMPA HELMETS SAVE LIVES ON MOTORCYCLES SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT.

Posted by  Penny Letson, Tampa, Florida on 10/13  at  01:17 PM

Seatbelts are critical in saving lives.  having a choice whether to wear a seatbelt can be dangerous for many americans who do not know how to choose the correct manner in living well and their children will not have to be left parentless due to something so simple as to save a life by wearing a seatbelt.

Posted by  CHARLES ANDREWS, TAMPA on 10/13  at  12:54 PM

IF A PERSON HAS THE CHOICE OF NOT WEARING A HELMET ON A MOTORCYCLE,THEN EVERYBODY ELSE IN A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF NOT WEARING A SEATBELT.THE LAW SHOULD BE CHANGED ABOUT SEATBELTS.

Posted by  Ronald Morrow, Valrico on 10/13  at  10:39 AM

I would rather have a teenager receive a $75 ticket then have their parents pay for a hospital bill or worse yet the cost of a burial. True the HCSO and police staff are responsible for catching criminals. However, promoting safety and all that goes with it is also part of their job. Those who decry what the HCSO and police are doing may think otherwise if and when their child becomes the next victim.

Posted by  Jack Pollack, Tampa on 10/13  at  08:08 AM

Shame on you Betty for having my tax dollars police an issue that parents should be doing themselves. It should not be the job of the police to enforce. Of course they do have plenty of time since 90% of their day is spent talking to other cops in parking lots and writing speeding tickets… your tax dollars hard at work.

Posted by  Betty A. Johnson, Riverview. Fl on 10/13  at  07:52 AM

YES!  Give them tickets!  And the parents who are calling the Sheriff’s
office to complain about their kids getting a ticket, shame on them!  Parents just think about Tyler Clark! Do you want your teenager dead also!!!

Posted by  Laurie F. Legg, Lakeland, FL on 10/13  at  05:09 AM

Yes, ticket them repeatedly!!!  Make them and their parents pay, and maybe they will buckle up!!  I have a 17 year old driver, and he is “forgetful” sometimes about the belt.  How can this younger generation that was raised in belts and safety seats and all other manner of restraints NOT use their belts???  So, I say, YES, try to save some lives; hit them in the pocket book now, and perhaps they will live to tell about the tickets later!!  Can you, or some law enforcement move the efforts to Polk County??!!??  Thanks.

Posted by  Rob Carpenter, Holiday, FL on 10/13  at  05:05 AM

Seatbelts save lives, but I am so tired of law enforcement trying to save us from ourselves.  If this was truly a “free” country, WE would be able to decide if we want to wear a seatbelt.  I always wear my seatbelt, but again, that is MY decision.

Posted by  Ed Sleyzak, Brandon on 10/13  at  04:10 AM

AS a father of 4 teenage drivers I appreciate what the sherrif’s are doing.

It is very for the teens this time as they are driving , traffic, road changing patterns ets.  We need to be more aware ourselves as parents as to what are children are doing and where they are. My kids know a couple od this teens and it is a shame what happened.

The Police do need to crack down and help the teens realise that they are not invicible.

Posted by  chris rhyce, valrico, fl on 10/13  at  12:16 AM

i’m sure teens all over the county have heard about what happened to tyler clark…if that doesn’t make them buckle up, i don’t see how a $75 ticket would…

Posted by  Roger Andersen, South Tampa on 10/12  at  11:39 PM

The seatbelt law is paternalism at it’s worst. Everyone agrees seatbelts are good. Do I want cops writting tickets for it…..NO. I guess the cops got sick of hiding out and catching harden criminals like people who speed. Now they are after public enemy number one…teens without seatbelts. David Gee needs to get a clue and worry about real law enforcement for once.