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Print This StorySeatbelt Bill Unlikely To Pass This Year
State Senate Postpones Debate Indefinitely
The South Carolina Senate has
delayed indefinitely a bill that would let police stop adult drivers for
not wearing seat belts.
The 23-21 vote effectively ended the bill's chances of becoming law
this year. The vote came after about an hour of contentious debate.
Fountain Inn Sen. David Thomas asked for the vote, even though a
similar effort to kill the bill failed yesterday.
Thomas said some seatbelt supporters were trying to block
consideration of other bills on the Senate calendar by refusing to let the
bill die.
The bill is favored by the majority of the Senate, but has been
held up by opponents saying it is unnecessary regulation.
Opponents have been filibustering for weeks and supporters of the
bill didn't have enough votes to end the filibuster and take a vote on the
bill.
Previous Stories:
- April 14, 2004: S.C. Auto Fatalities Up 20 Percent From Same Time Last Year
- April 6, 2004: Seat Belt Filibuster Put Aside For Day
- February 10, 2004: State Considers Making Seatbelt Law Stronger
Copyright 2004 by TheCarolinaChannel and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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