Viewpoints
Best reason to start buckling
up
By John Maki
February 14, 2006
Tuesday
I have never condoned "federalization of local law enforcement
through grants." Mr. Jones' inference that I agree with
that tactic is a stretch. I understand that Ketchikan and the
troopers have participated in the nation-wide campaign called
"Click-it, Ticket," but that was before I came to Ketchikan.
Like other laws that I may or may not agree with but have sworn
to uphold, the representatives sent from Alaska to Washington
were part of the process that passed the laws that tied Federal
Highway dollars to seatbelt compliance and to lowering the DUI
per se to .08 bac. This is called taxation with representation.
Of course, seatbelt usage is
not THE reason for increased health care and insurance costs
but considering 85% the cost of an auto crash is borne by society
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and not individuals
it is but one factor that cannot be ignored. (A good history
on seatbelts, legislation and statistics on seatbelt use can
be found at http://www.preventioninstitute.org/traffic_seatbelt.html)
Many of us have health insurance so why not do things to try
to keep premiums from rising?
KPD is not receiving grant
funds to check for seatbelt compliance and looking for these
violators will go into the mix of things officers are paid to
do. Warnings are appropriate after the law becomes enforceable.
(...and KPD officers do not have any quota system for traffic
laws enforcement.)
Probably the best reason to
start buckling up is not that you might get a $15 ticket but
Jacob Martin's letter in Sitnews of February 6th.
John Maki
E-mail: johnm[at]city.ketchikan.ak.us
Ketchikan, AK - USA
About: John Maki is Deputy Chief of Police - Ketchikan. He has
32 years experience in law enforcement. He was a Law Enforcement
Academy Director for 5 years where he taught Statutory Law, Law
Enforcement Ethics and other subjects.
Related Viewpoint:
 Eye-Opener
By Jacob Martin - Ketchikan, AK - USA
What
is the cost to our freedom? By Jay Jones - Ketchikan, AK
- USA
Note: Comments published
on Viewpoints are the opinions of the writer
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
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