JASON RANTZ

‘Click-it or Ticket?’ More like ‘Cash-it’ in Pierce County

May 25, 2016, 7:23 AM

state patrol, troopers...

(File, Associated Press)

(File, Associated Press)

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington State Patrol this week launched another campaign to go after drivers who refuse or forget to wear their seat belts. While I won’t stand in the way of encouraging safe driving habits, this seems less about the “click-it” and more about the “ticket.”

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will offer extra patrols in Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and other Pierce County cities. But, according to a 2015 survey by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, about 95 percent of people in the state already wear seat belts.

So we’re spending extra money on patrols for about 5 percent of the statewide population (not even 5 percent of the Pierce County population)?

To put this in context, eight people died in Pierce County due “in part” to not wearing a seat belt, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. Every life matters, but this is hardly a statistical shock and there’s no indication as to what role not wearing a seat belt actually played in the deaths. Would a seat belt have helped? Probably. But it also depends on the circumstances of the crash.

This smells more of a desire to collect the $136 in ticket fees. I don’t think it’ll change behavior.

I am admittedly suspicious when it comes to the state cashing in on traffic infractions when there’s not much indication the ticket will stop bad behavior. What makes you think a mere $136 ticket will remind people to buckle up if the driver is dumb enough not to be safe to begin with?

Remember, we need extra patrols to try to catch people not wearing seat belts (remember, only about 5 percent of the population isn’t wearing them). That means the chances of getting ticketed any other day out of the year is extremely low. Couldn’t getting a ticket be justified because you’re unlikely to get a second or third ticket? It’s a dumb justification but we’re not talking about the brightest bulbs if they’re unwilling to put on a simple seat belt.

Why not continue with the public education? Do we need more patrolling drivers when so few aren’t wearing seat belts? Reach them with advertisements (radio!) and save the money on patrols.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Image: Seattle Police Department officers arrest a woman caught driving a stolen car full of stolen...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Activists to harass cops with Seattle Police complaint campaign

A Seattle Police complaint campaign by activists amounts to little more than harassment. But it could backfire, generating sympathy for cops.

1 hour ago

Image: A Boeing 737 Max 10 airliner taxis past a hanger on the flight line before its first flight ...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: It’s time for Washington to worry about Boeing surviving

Boeing controversy after controversy, plus bad press, threatens the company's future. Washington should be very worried right now.

1 day ago

Image: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters dur...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Trump ‘bloodbath’ controversy is the latest media invention

When President Donald Trump used the term "bloodbath," the media became unhinged. He wasn't talking about violence, but the auto industry.

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: KTTH Roundtable: Will TikTok Be Banned?

A local mystery was solved in Los Angeles (with a surprising end result) and Jason Rantz and Bryan Suits tackle the arguments behind the TikTok ban. Listen to The Bryan Suits Show weekdays from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen to The Jason Rantz […]

3 days ago

Inset: Headshot of Seattle Police Department (SPD) Captain Deanna Nollette; Primary photo: An SPD v...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Officer suing Seattle police for gender discrimination accused of gender bias

Seattle police officers said Captain Deanna Nollette, who sued the department for gender bias, is "notorious" for mistreating female officers.

5 days ago

Kim Wyman...

Bill Kaczaraba

Is ex-Secretary of State Kim Wyman running for that office again?

Rumors are spreading that former Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman is running for that office again.

5 days ago

‘Click-it or Ticket?’ More like ‘Cash-it’ in Pierce County