House blocks measure for seat belt crackdown

St. Paul, Minn. — Currently, police have to stop drivers for some other reason before noting a seat belt violation.

The effort to change the law to a so-called 'primary offense' originally was part of a larger transportation policy bill that fell apart last week.

When that stalled supporters tried to add the primary seat belt provision to another bill, but that attempt failed.

Supporters say the provision would save lives, but some opponents call it an unwelcome government intrusion.

It's unclear whether there will be another attempt to pass the seat belt law, though lawmakers only have a few days left in the session.