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Lawmakers Consider Tougher Seat Belt Laws

March 2, 2004
By: Missy Shelton
State Capital Bureau

Lawmakers consider giving police officers the authority to pull drivers over for failing to wear a seat belt.

Missy Shelton reports.

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Right now, Missouri law requires everyone to buckle up.

But cops can't pull you over JUST because the adults in a car aren't wearing seat belts.

Public safety advocates are pushing a bill that would change that.

Richard Healing serves on the National Transportation Safety Board.

He urged a senate committee to give law enforcement the power to pull over drivers who aren't wearing seat belts.

He says doing that will save lives.

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Healing also told the Senate Transportation Committee that the public has a financial interest in making sure people buckle up.

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But some lawmakers say you can't put a price on personal freedom...They argue individuals should have the right to decide whether or not they put on a seat belt.

Some lawmakers say they also fear the proposal would give too much power to cops.

But the bill sponsor, Republican senator Jon Dolan says his proposal has safeguards.

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The measure is up for consideration in a senate committee.

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