EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Police Department conducted another in a series of "Click it or Ticket" checks Wednesday afternoon, May 22, at a familiar location in city at the Interstate 195 off ramp at the junction of Warren Avenue and Slocum Street.

Over a three hour period, according to Sergeant John Andrews, police issued 30 tickets to those who violated the now standard Rhode Island seat belt law.

The General Assembly recently reaffirmed existing law, making it in police parlance a "primary offense." Legislators granted officers the authority to stop vehicles whose operator and/or passengers are not wearing their seat belts.

In the past, motorists could not be pulled over just for not wearing their seat belts. That remains the case in neighboring Massachusetts, however, which explains why several of those stopped Wednesday by Sgt. Andrews, Captain Bruce Kidman and Officer Andy Benoit had Bay State tags on their cars.

Motorists cited received an $85 fine. Of interest as well, following the letter of the law, officers can also hand $85 citations to a driver for any other passengers not wearing seat belts in the vehicle.

The current "Click it or Ticket" checks continue at various locations around the city over Memorial Day weekend through next week until June 2.