EHRLICH PULLS POLICE GOGGLES:

Maryland state police will not be using night vision equipment to spy on motorists to see if they are wearing seat belts. Reacting quickly to complaints, Gov. Robert Ehrlich recently directed the state police to discontinue testing the effectiveness of the equipment.

“Gov. Ehrlich isn’t a fan of big brother tactics when it comes to law enforcement. That’s the very reason why he vetoed speed cameras,” said Shareese DeLeaver, a spokeswoman for Ehrlich. “The governor felt there is an appropriate time and place for the use of night vision equipment. However, he did not feel that seat belt enforcement rose to that level.”

Borrowed from the military, the equipment was used only during a test in Montgomery County. The equipment already has been returned, Greg Shipley, police spokesman said.

When the seat belt law was passed in 1986, police could only issue a citation if they stopped a vehicle for another violation, Shipley said. But the law was changed in 1997 to make it a primary violation, allowing police to stop a car if they see someone is not buckled up. Shipley said state police would continue to enforce the law when motorists are stopped for speeding and other violations.