COLUMBIA, S.C. - People stopped for traffic violations after dark will have to turn on their car's dome light under a bill approved by a House committee Wednesday.

Amendments to the bill said that people who don't turn on their dome lights when asked by police will be fined $25 if they refuse to do so.

Drivers that don't have working dome lights wouldn't be charged, said Rep. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia.

The House Education and Public Works Committee approved the Senate version of the bill, but attached to two amendments to it.

One amendment would allow police to stop a motorist for not wearing a seat belt, creating a primary law allowing seat belt enforcement. South Carolina currently has a secondary seat belt law for adults. That means police cannot ticket a motorist who is 18 or older for seat-belt violations unless the motorist is pulled over for another reason, such as speeding.

The other amendment would increase fines for driving under the influence. The fines for first, second and third offenses and those that cause bodily harm would be raised by $100. Fees for administrative hearings also would be increased from $50 to $100 under the bill.