Blue light may get you lunch

Wearing a seat belt this holiday season not only might save your life and save you from a ticket, it could get a you a snack.

From now until after the New Year's holiday, local S.C. Highway Patrol troopers are giving out coupons for free chicken sandwiches to drivers who are wearing seat belts.

"When you get stopped by a trooper in Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester counties, and the trooper sees that you're wearing a seat belt, you'll get a coupon for a free sandwich at any area Chick-fil-A," said Lance Cpl. Bob Beres, a public information officer for the patrol's Troop 6, which covers the tri-county area.

The campaign, which runs until after Jan. 1, is a result of a partnership with Chick-fil-A, Beres said. "It's just being tested in this area," he said. "After the first of the year, we'll evaluate it and we may make it statewide."

Troopers won't be looking for people who are wearing seat belts and pulling them over just for that reason, Beres said.

The coupons will be handed out during legitimate traffic stops and at driver-safety checkpoints.

"You might get stopped for having a headlight out, or even for speeding," he said. "You'll still get a speeding ticket, but if you're wearing a seat belt, you'll get a free sandwich too."

Drivers who aren't wearing a seat belt will get a $25 ticket, Beres said.

The campaign is part of an effort to make this year's holiday driving safer.

"First and foremost, we want people to have a Happy Thanksgiving, but we're stressing personal responsibility behind the wheel," Beres said.

"On long trips, take breaks every two hours. Leave a good distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Keep a fully charged cell phone. And have plenty of patience. If you are going to partake in alcohol this weekend, please do it responsibly," he said.

Reach David W. MacDougall at macdougd@postandcourier.com or 937-5655.