Ask Pete

[#1]

Many of you that are regular—or even occasional—readers of my blogs and articles know that the subjects I write about can range from vehicle maintenance and repairs to traffic infractions. But this week’s topic angers me every time I see it and makes me wish I was in law enforcement so I could do more about it. 

So what has gotten me this worked up? Toddlers riding in vehicles unsecured! I’m not talking about kids that aren’t in a child safety seat—which is dangerous and irresponsible—I’m talking about kids that aren’t even buckled in a seatbelt. How on earth, in this day and age, could any parent in their right mind drive on any of our major streets or highways with their kids (or anybody else’s kids for that matter) not secured in their seats?

Just yesterday I was traveling on I-4, and the car next to me (in the left lane doing 70+ mph) had four toddlers in the backseat climbing all over one another. The individual behind the wheel was just talking away on the cell phone. Of course, by the time I called 911, there were no police officers in the immediate area to witness the oblivious, insensitive and uncaring motorist. Man, this burns me up! 

[#2]

Unfortunately, there is no cure for stupidity !

[#3]

After the tragedy...it's too late. Observation verifies, intelligent looking folk can, if seat belts are not utilized , in actuality may be about. four mental brick, short of a load. That  "Don't Care Attitude" is Extremely Dangerous.

Little Guys are to be Loved, Cared for and Protected..." BUCKLE UP IS NOT AN OPTION...IF YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR CHILDREN..!  PLEASE...GIVE THEM  B-I-G  HUGS  EVERY DAY...ALLOW  LOVE. TO SHOW.....BUCKLE THEM  UP..!   

THANKS  FOR CARING....AND ENJOY WATCHING THE LITTLE GUYS and GIRLS GROW UP...THEY FOLLOW  MOM and DAD'S  EXAMPLE....INCLUDING THE "BUCKLE UP HABIT."  TRY IT....IT DEVELOPS A SAFE MENTALITY FAMILY.

[#4]

You'd think this should be a no-brainer. This really seems like criminal behavior when you have adults who should know better and who are in charge of the little ones....

[#5]

No-brainer is the correct term. Adults with no brains. Are these their offspring? Perhaps it's the universe's way of taking them out of the gene pool. No, I shouldn't say that. That's just mean. But seriously, the mind boggles thinking about what other parenting decisions these people make? "Sure, Jimmy, we can go swimming with the alligators - they look fun to ride."

[#6]

I was recently traveling south on US 19 from Tallahassee to Tampa. I always take this route. I like the road and enjoy the slower pace. I can see that the businesses along this route are hurting so I am glad that I can stop and buy gas, and dine at restaurants along the way. On my recent trip, A police officer was facing west as I passed through an intersection. The light was green when I approached and I was well under the speed limit. I was surprised when the officer pulled me over. He told me that he saw me look down as I passed by, and that meant that I was fastening my seatbelt. I told him that my seatbelt was fastened. All seatbelts in my vehicle were fastened. I expected him to realize his mistake and I would be on my way. But the officer became belligerent, and each time he returned to my vehicle, he embellished his story, stating that he could clearly see that my shoulder harness was not fastened, and that he could see that I was fastening it. He claimed that my windows were very easy to see through, and that he drove the same car. i had two passengers in my car that also told him that I always wear my seatbelt, but he just became more angry. I have requested a court date, and will be appearing in Levy county court on Oct. 20. I am beginning to suspect that this is a new way to bring in revenue to the county. I think the AAA members should be aware of this. I spoke to my attorney, who told me that if you aren't speeding and you don't run a red light, they will pull you over for a seatbelt violation ($113.00). It will cost me much more than that to fight the ticket. It will cost me two tanks of gas to go back to Levy county. My son (one of my witnesses) will need to miss school to go with me, as well as my other witness who is a friend. I don't know if I will prevail, but I cannot pay a fine with a clear conscious knowing that it is based on a false accusation. The businesses along US 19 will pay a higher price as I will no longer take this route to Tallahassee. I had just spent $40.00 at a restaurant in Chiefland before this happened.  My husband recently left on a business trip and would have taken that route, but took I-75 instead. Please inform your members of the risks of driving north on US 19.