Seat belt bill progresses through budget subcommittee

Currently, an adult motorist can be cited for failing to wear a seat belt only if stopped for another traffic violation.

The bill, which would apply to drivers and front-seat passengers, was approved with little discussion by voice vote in the House Budget Subcommittee.

Motorists in Tennessee already can be ticketed if anyone 17 or younger isn’t buckled up.

Under the bill, a first offense would cost $10, with subsequent offenses resulting in $20 fines.

“My primary interest in this is that it will save lives,” said Rep. John Hood, D-Murfreesboro, who is sponsoring the measure. He said it is expected to increase seat belt usage and save an estimated 81 lives annually.

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.

Advocates of the measure also have said that passage would entitle the state to more federal highway funds.
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On the Net:
Read SB2606/HB3104 at: www.legislature.state.tn.us