House committee approves stronger seat belt law
NASHVILLE (AP) — Motorists could be stopped by police and ticketed if they or their front-seat passengers aren’t wearing seat belts, according to legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee.
Currently, a motorist can be cited for failing to wear a seat belt only if stopped for another traffic violation.
The House Transportation Committee approved the change 13-7, with two representatives declaring themselves present but not voting. It next will be considered by the House Finance Committee.
The measure cleared the Senate Transportation Committee last week.
“It will save lives and prevent injuries of Tennesseans,” said bill sponsor John Hood, D-Murfreesboro. “It’s been proven true in other states that have a primary seat belt law, immediately the percentage of usage goes up.”
A first offense would cost $10, with subsequent offenses resulting in $20 fines.
Supporters of the bill say the change would save an estimated 81 lives and prevent 886 serious injuries each year.
Based on AAA statistics, they also estimate it would save $181 million a year and earn the state hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of federal dollars for highway projects.
“It saves millions of dollars in economic costs from the injuries and the deaths (and) it will bring us additional federal monies,” Hood said. “But the most important part of it is the safety factor.”
The National Transportation Safety Board has said that more than 70 percent of people killed in traffic crashes between 1994 and 2002 were not strapped in.
Tennessee currently ranks near the bottom of the nation in the number of motorists who use seat belts, with about one-third of Tennesseans failing to buckle up.
The House committee added several exemptions to the bill before approving it. Among those not required to wear seat belts would be motorists traveling on private property, those participating in parades or hay rides at low speeds and people crossing a public road from one field to another.
“This would take care of (several) big problems that could come about — farm use and Christmas parades — because we all have these type of parades at home,” said Rep. Frank Buck, D-Dowelltown, who sponsored an amendment allowing the exceptions.
Drivers traveling in “antique” vehicles constructed before seat belts became a standard part of automobiles also would be exempt.
Motorists in Tennessee already can be ticketed if passengers 17 and under aren’t buckled up.
Several committee members worried the proposed change in the law could result in police targeting specific minority populations.
“What is going to be (the definition) of probable cause?” asked Rep. Jack Sharp, who ultimately voted against the bill.
“Having a suspicion is not going to cut it,” Buck replied. “A police officer has to see that the seat belt” is not on to pull someone over.
“You can’t go out willy-nilly pulling people over because that person’s Cuban or Hispanic or looks like he’s selling drugs,” he said.
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On the Net:
Read Senate Bill 2606/House Bill 3104 at www.legislature.state.tn.us