Bicycle officer targets seat belt violations

Motorists on the A&M-Commerce campus may have recently seen a new method of seat belt law enforcement being utilized by the University Police Department.

UPD bicycle patrol officer Michael Benson enacted this unorthodox strategy of seat belt enforcement, in which he rides his bicycle alongside vehicles to see if the occupants are wearing a seat belt. If they are not, Benson will pull them over to issue them a traffic ticket.

A recent change in Texas traffic legislation by the Department of Public Safety in September, requires all passengers to wear a seat belt, regardless of age or where they are sitting in the vehicle.

Benson started his new practice on the heels of this legislation, after noticing a distinct pattern among Commerce drivers.

"I noticed numerous seat belt violations during the first few weeks of school, and decided to enforce the provisions of the transportation code," Benson said.

These provisions allow for Benson or any other officer to enforce laws – including traffic laws – from various modes of transportation.

"There is no limitation under the law as to how an officer enforces law, whether it be from horseback, foot, car or bicycle," UPD Crime Information Officer Lt. Jason Bone said.

Although Benson may be legally justified in his bicycle patrolling, not everybody views it a positive light.

"I think that this is a stupid idea, really," a junior political science major said. "This [officer] shouldn't be riding through traffic on a bike. I think that generates more danger than it's worth."

Other students, like sophomore sociology major Sarah Hays, understand how Benson's method may be seen as dubious in some way, but do not share that belief.

"It's a bit instinctual to consider that the officer on the bike is trying to target people for the violation of a simple law," Hays said. "However, the law is still the law, and no matter what speed you're driving, it's illegal to not wear your seat belt."

So far, Benson has not seen a marked difference in the number of seat belt citations issued. However, with a fine of $135 per citation, Benson remains optimistic.

"I have not really noticed any improvement in people wearing seat belts yet, but it is still early in the semester," Benson said.