COLUMBIA, S.C.
(AP) - A Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would allow
police to stop a motorist for not wearing a seat belt.
The Senate Transportation Committee approved the bill on a 7-6
vote. Because some senators have objected to the bill, it will move
behind dozens of other bills on the contested calendar in the
Senate. That makes it unlikely to come up for debate in the Senate
before the session ends June 5.
The bill would create 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.
A person caught not wearing a seat belt would be fined $25.
Opponents of the bill say it takes away an individual's rights.
Supporters say it would reduce traffic fatalities.
