TALLAHASSEE -- With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Charlie Crist reversed decades of public safety policy Wednesday and signed a law that allows police to ticket motorists solely for not wearing seat belts.

The law has long been a priority of public safety groups, led by Tampa-based AAA Auto Club South. But it gained new momentum this session because this is the last year Florida is eligible to draw $35.5 million in federal highway safety funds by passing a stricter seat belt law.

''This bill will save lives. That's really what's important,'' Crist said. ``The most important function of government is to protect.''

Starting June 30, adults caught not being buckled up in the front seat will face a $30 fine. The law already allowed for enforcement for drivers and passengers under 18.

The law also became a personal crusade for two families who lost daughters in fatal car crashes: Vin and Laura Marchetti of Valrico, parents of Katie, and former Rep. Irv Slosberg of Boca Raton, who broke down at the end of an emotional speech and said: ``Boy, do I miss Dori.''

At Wednesday's signing were the sponsors of the bill, Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, and RepRich Glorioso, R-Plant City.

''We said we'd get it done. We didn't know which year,'' Glorioso said.

Rich said the families' efforts were critical -- ``that their stories might change the law so that other Florida families wouldn't have to go through the pain of losing a loved one.''

Lawmakers singled out two AAA lobbyists, Lee Moffitt and Karen MacFarland, for tenacity in lobbying for the bill.

Also present were two childhood friends of Katie Marchetti: Kaye Sommer, a student at the University of North Florida, and Lindsay Adkinson, a student at Hillsborough Community College.

''Before Katie died, I didn't always wear my seat belt, and afterwards, I've always worn it,'' Adkinson said.

Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com

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