Nearly 60 People Nabbed for Not Wearing a Seat Belt

What is the deal with so many people driving around without wearing seat belts?

Plainfield police conducted a traffic safety enforcement campaign Monday on Route 59 -- one, we might add, that we told you about in advance -- yet 59 people still got ticketed for failing to wear a seat belt.

That's a fairly staggering number given that this isn't the 1970s, when people deliberately ignored seat belts without penalty, or even the 1950s, when seat belts weren't even an option. 

These days, we know better. Going through your windshield or flying out of your car is a stupid way to die.

Not to mention, if you get caught, you're going to get slapped with a $25 fine (more if you contest it and lose).

What else did people get nabbed for in Plainfield during the Monday enforcement? Seven were cited for operating uninsured vehicles, five for driving with a suspended/revoked license, four for child passenger safety act violations, three for speeding in a construction zone, two for speeding, and one each for no driver's license on person, expired registration, following too closely, obstructed windshield and no safety test.

Two folks were picked up on outstanding warrants and another for providing a fictious name to police to avoid arrest, a charge know legally as obstructing identification.

OK, so here's your warning about the next round of enforcement. If you get caught, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Plainfield police will be conducting a "Click It or Ticket" campaign from May 13 to 30. They'll specifically be looking for seat belt violators and impaired drivers, but they'll issue other tickets, too, if you're found to be breaking some other law.

They'll be doing patrols both on foot and in cars both during the day and at night, according to traffic Sgt. Eric Munson. They're also planning a roadside safety check over the Memorial Day weekend.

There's one bright spot: If an officer stops a teenager and finds he or she is properly wearing a seat belt, they'll be rewarded with a free music download card, courtesy of AAA Chicago.