From Inconveniences To Police Stings In One Generation

If you are of a certain age, you may recall when most people wouldn't be caught dead in a seat belt in their car. They'd rather be thrown clear in a crash, or else not be trapped in a burning wreck. It is no coincidence that although driving speeds were lower, the rate of fatal collisions was much higher then than now.

Then there was a big national campaign. Radio and television advertisements. In Texas, the Governor came out and explained to people that the proposed seat belt law would NOT be a reason the Police would stop you. Plus, only the driver would have to be buckled in. No, no, they would not be looking in your car to see if you were belted up, unless you were stopped for something else already. Obey all the other laws (the implication was) and you still don't have to wear a seat belt! And the people assented.

Somewhere in between then and now, it went from being a secondary offense to a primary offense (you can be stopped for not wearing a seat belt). Now, not just the driver, not just the passenger, but everyone in the car must be buckled up.

Now it is announced that deputies in Williamson County, Texas (i.e., Austin North) will be having a sting operation. A deputy, dressed as a bum with a sign that says "Click it or Ticket" (I hate that phrase) will be standing on the side of the road at an intersection. They don't run bums off around Austin, and the people largely ignore them, so this officer will be effectively invisible. He will look in your car, see you or one of your passengers not wearing your seat belts, and radio ahead to his partner in crime law enforcement. Then you will be getting a ticket with a fine of up to $250.

This transition took place in my own lifetime. Think about the minor inconveniences they are convincing you to tolerate because it's only a minor inconvenience. Think what would happen if it were made less minor. THAT's why you have to fight the Statist at every turn. Otherwise, you end up with parents unable to play with their children in a park or take pictures of ANYone's children, just in case. Your son can't buy a tire patch kit and you can't buy it for him, just in case. Spray paint in the car parts store is behind a stronger lock than boxes of ammunition. It leads to insanity of the type only a Statist could love.