TAMPA, FL -- In just a few weeks, motorists who are stopped for not wearing seat belts will be given 100 dollar fines instead of reminder cards like those Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies passed out to commuters Wednesday morning.
Several motorists were found not wearing seat belts with only weeks before Florida's law changes allowing law enforcement officials stop drivers just for not wearing the seat belt.
The state fine is $30 with Hillsborough County Clerk's Office adding another $71 to bring the total just over a hundred dollars for not wearing the belt.
Motorists who were stopped at Waters and Dale Mabry were asked for "donations" to the law enforcement fund which doesn't exist as a lead in to the warning the next time they may have to pay for real.
The new law goes into effect June 30.
Deputies greeted traffic at Bruce B. Downs at Fletcher Avenue, Bloomingdale Avenue at U.S. Highway 301 and Parsons Avenue at State Road 60 and handed their Operation Belts or Else campaign prior to the end of morning drive time.
