Missouri’s traffic laws are odd in one respect. Motorists are required to wear seat belts but they can’t be pulled over solely for failing to put them on.
State lawmakers should change that by passing a “primary” seat belt law. State officials say the resulting stiffer enforcement would result in more people buckling up, saving an estimated 90 lives and reducing injuries by about 1,000 every year.
“You can be pulled over for a burned-out license-plate light, but not for endangering your life and the lives of others by driving without a safety belt,” said Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The last attempt by MoDot to win approval of a primary seat-belt law went nowhere. Opponents said whether to buckle up should remain a driver’s decision.
Yet wearing a seat belt is already required. A primary law would simply allow police officers to pull over law-breakers solely for that infraction.
Some 76 percent of Missouri drivers currently use seat belts, well below the national average of 83 percent.
If a primary law is passed, the state would gain $16 million in additional federal highway money to use for safety enforcement, education and engineering. But this year is the last year that money will be made available.
Lawmakers should not allow this year’s money to vanish. It’s time Missouri joined the 26 states with primary seat-belt laws.
Delicious
Digg
Seat belt usage (like of
Seat belt usage (like of serpentine belt) isn't likely to rise unless the law is toughened. A very strong seat-belt law will saves lives and will significantly improve traffic safety.
There's historical precedent
Rogue and I are both all for killing Bambi, before Bambi comes crashing through our windshields.
It can happen.
I am shocked
I never thought that I would agree with both edith and interface on the same subject.
Who would have thunk it?
Simple answer, Prof. Hubbard
No seat belt and you're sliding around inside your car in case of high loading from two of three prime vectors. Translation: you can't steer if your tush is airborne, and THAT is dangerous to yourself and others.
endangering lives of others
I googled:
The refusal of a driver to wear his seatbelt can endanger the lives of other occupants, as well as his own. In the event of a collision, he can be thrown against another occupant, thrown onto the dash or windscreen, or out of the vehicle. The fact remains that your death affects taxpayers who have to pay to have your remains removed and they may also have to make a contribution to support your family. Your death affects your employer who has to find a replacement and has to train him. This cost is borne by customers in the form of higher prices. If you do wear a seatbelt you stand a better chance of retaining control of the vehicle and avoiding a secondary collision with a pedestrian or another vehicle.
http://www.drivealive.org.za/DriveAlive/WebSite/WearingSeatbelts.asp
Another Lib Fascist Idea
If ever there was a place for no new "law", this has to be high on the list.
Lets see now.... It is against the law not to wear a seat belt. 3/4's of the state follows the law, but for the remaining 1/4 of friggin' idiots you want to pass yet another law. Mostly to get that free Washington money I guess.
If people are too stupid, stubborn or whatever not to wear a seat belt, maybe it's a good thing they run the risk of leaving this good earth sooner. At least they won't be lowering the gene pool anymore by passing on their genes.
Can someone tell me how
Can someone tell me how driving without a seat belt endangers the lives of others?