Drivers’ Ed
In Tennessee, we have this government funded ad campaign called Click It or Ticket, which means that if you don’t wear your seatbelt then you’ll be issued a ticket. A local congressmonkey has pointed out that the ads are actually misleading:
But one state senator says the ad is untruthful and misleading because motorists in Tennessee cannot be pulled over and ticketed for not wearing a seat belt.
In Tennessee, adults can be ticketed for not being buckled up only if they are stopped for another violation, such as speeding.
Also, in Tennessee, passengers of motor vehicles can drink. The driver can’t. But they’re trying to change that:
Currently, Tennessee only outlaws drivers from boozing it up while on the road. But that has led to a loophole — drivers passing their beer cans to a passenger when the blue lights start flashing behind them. Legislation to end that cleared a Senate panel unanimously yesterday.
Similar legislation passed the Senate two years ago but stalled in the House, with some thinking it would cut down on the fun during road trips to University of Tennessee football games.
Now, as someone who drinks a lot as a passenger on his way to UT football games, I can say that waiting until I get to the tailgate party location to start slamming beers would be a major inconvenience.
Update: Justin details some more Tennessee driving law buffoonery. Up next: blood tests.
March 25th, 2004 at 11:18 am
What about all the Nashville drivers who don’t use their frickin’ turn signals?
March 25th, 2004 at 11:30 am
I was a passenger in a friend’s car when we were pulled over at a speed trap on the NJ Turnpike. The cop gave my friend a chice, speeding ticket or seatbelt ticket (no surcharge or points). Guess which one he picked. Funny thing is we were all wearing our seatbelts. Quite the racket they had there. Easy revenue.
March 25th, 2004 at 1:51 pm
The click it or ticket campaign is a road block/checkpoint campaign that stops all motorists, regardless of being buckled or not. Thus, they ticket you if you do happen to be unbuckled. But if you see one of these roadblocks, and don’t buckle up, you’re a complete and total dumbass.
March 25th, 2004 at 1:55 pm
I know what the campaign is, it just seems that it’s misrepresented in those commercials we see for it.