Sheriff Bieluch is committed to saving lives. Last year over 200 people lost their lives on the roadways in Palm Beach County. Our Safe Roads Task Force is laser focused and was established to combat speeding, running red lights, and drunk driving. Traffic safety is always on the forefront of law enforcement in Florida, but attention to these issues is even more immediate around holiday weekends. An influx of travelers means more crowded roadways, and a common thread through all traffic violations is the increased chance of being involved in a crash. Wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in traffic crashes, and in Florida, it's the law.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, will participate in the Buckle Up Florida Memorial Day Enforcement Wave from May 25 to June 2. During this 9 day period, law enforcement will show zero tolerance for safety belt law violations. Any driver who is pulled over for another violation and is found to not be buckled up will be given a citation.
Florida's safety belt law states that all front seat passengers must be buckled up, regardless of age. Children under age 6 must be properly restrained: infants through age 3 in a child safety seat and ages 4-5 in a child safety seat or a safety belt. Drivers are held responsible for any passengers under age 16 who are not buckled.