House panel advances primary seat belt bill

Posted at 11:27 AM on April 16, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)

A Minnesota House panel has approved a bill that would allow police to stop vehicles solely for seat belt violations.

The measure would make failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense, and would apply to anyone in a vehicle. Members of the Public Safety Finance Division advanced the bill today on a voice vote. Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, says the legislation will save lives, prevent injuries and save money.

"It will reduce costs to the state through Medicaid, Medicare and hospital charges," Norton said. "We serve to gain $3.4 million in federal funds if and only if we pass it by July 30, 2009. That money disappears after this year. So, that's a one- time federal input of funds we can take advantage of."

Norton says discussions continue with law enforcement agencies to make sure a primary seat belt law would not result in racial profiling. The bill's next stop is the House Finance Committee.

Comments (3)

It seems like this could easily turn into "Well it looked like he/she wasn't wearing a seat belt"

Can you tell if someone in a car passing you at 60 is wearing their seat belt?

What about at 30?

Posted by SC | April 16, 2009 4:36 PM

If people would follow safety recommendations we wouldn't need government to enact laws for our safety. As a commercial license holder we are required to use seatbelts whenever operating a commercial vehicle. Seeing numerous accidents resulting in rollovers, many deaths could have been avoided if seatbelts where used. I witnessed one rollover and watched a lady get ejected, ask her if seatbelt use makes sense!

Posted by Scott | April 16, 2009 7:42 PM

Actually, at one point I questioned whether you could tell if someone was wearing their seatbelt when passing on the road and I found that I could. The shoulder strap is visible on the driver and passenger of passing vehicles. This was true at 65 mph. I tested this during the day light, but I might try again in the evening so see what is visible to me.

Posted by friend | April 17, 2009 1:18 PM

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