Click It or Ticket - Now in the Backseat
July 19, 2011 By Law Offices of R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
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If a car accident occurs, the seat belts cannot help protect if they aren’t in use. Recent legislation was signed by Governor Quinn that requires seat restraints for all passengers, including those in the rear seats. Seat belts save lives.
Recent legislation was signed by Governor Quinn that requires seat restraints for all passengers, including those in the rear seats. Seat belts save lives. By now, there are plenty of statistics to back up that statement. Prior law in Illinois provided that each driver and front seat passenger must wear a safety belt. In addition, the law requires proper restraint for passengers under 8 years of age and all passengers riding with a driver who is under 18 years of age.
If a car accident occurs, the seat belts cannot help protect if they aren’t in use. Changing driving (and riding) habits can be difficult. But do laws requiring seat belt use increase usage? Well, the first law in Illinois to require the use of seat restraints was passed in 1988. In 2000, the campaign known as Click It or Ticket began. This is an enforcement effort by state and local officers to check for seat belt use and write tickets for those not complying with the law. Front seat belt usage that year was 70.5%. Ten years later, in 2010, seat belt usage by those in the front seat was at 92.6%, a 22% increase! Estimates are that over 4,000 lives were saved due to this increased usage. So it appears that with appropriate laws in place and a strong enforcement campaign, habits of drivers and passengers can be changed.
Manufacturers are required to provide safety restraints for all passenger positions in a vehicle. This legislation should help increase usage of those restraints and hopefully translate into fewer deaths and injuries from auto accidents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronald F. Wittmeyer
Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr. practices plaintiffs’ personal injury law, and has his office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mr. Wittmeyer began his practice with a defense firm, where he worked until he founded R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. in 1984. With thirty years of experience handling personal injury cases, Ronald Wittmeyer has successfully represented thousands of clients, many of whom have suffered serious or fatal injuries. Currently, Ronald F. Wittmeyer Jr. is a member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Board of Directors.
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More information about Law Offices of R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
If a car accident occurs, the seat belts cannot help protect if they aren’t in use. Changing driving (and riding) habits can be difficult. But do laws requiring seat belt use increase usage? Well, the first law in Illinois to require the use of seat restraints was passed in 1988. In 2000, the campaign known as Click It or Ticket began. This is an enforcement effort by state and local officers to check for seat belt use and write tickets for those not complying with the law. Front seat belt usage that year was 70.5%. Ten years later, in 2010, seat belt usage by those in the front seat was at 92.6%, a 22% increase! Estimates are that over 4,000 lives were saved due to this increased usage. So it appears that with appropriate laws in place and a strong enforcement campaign, habits of drivers and passengers can be changed.
Manufacturers are required to provide safety restraints for all passenger positions in a vehicle. This legislation should help increase usage of those restraints and hopefully translate into fewer deaths and injuries from auto accidents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronald F. Wittmeyer
Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr. practices plaintiffs’ personal injury law, and has his office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mr. Wittmeyer began his practice with a defense firm, where he worked until he founded R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. in 1984. With thirty years of experience handling personal injury cases, Ronald Wittmeyer has successfully represented thousands of clients, many of whom have suffered serious or fatal injuries. Currently, Ronald F. Wittmeyer Jr. is a member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Board of Directors.
Copyright Law Offices of R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
More information about Law Offices of R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
View all articles published by Law Offices of R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
