The state police have launched their just-in-time-for-summer "Click It or Ticket" campaign with just one flaw.

In Vermont, it really should be "If you don't click it, and you do something else wrong, you could get a ticket." Admittedly a lot less catchy, but that's the way it works here. Police can't stop you just because of the seat belt thing, but they can ticket you for that if they stop you for something else.

Nonetheless, Vermont joined in the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Signs along the interstate and TV ads featuring Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie flash the phrase. Twenty-five states have seat-belt laws that allow police to pull somebody over for not wearing one.

The Legislature once again this year toyed with making seat belt a "primary enforcement" issue, with the lure of $3.7 million in federal money for road safety improvements, but in the end ran into resistance from those who think that's too Big Brotherish.

Should Vermont click into the routine of most other states, as police would like? Or does that go too far in giving up rights, as a few key legislators and the governor believe?

- Terri Hallenbeck