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Article published Dec 31, 2004
S.C.'s declining seat belt use is cause for change

A disturbing report that South Carolina will end this year with the nation's largest single-year decrease in the number of motorists using seat belts -- coupled with having one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the country -- should illustrate the wisdom of enforcing the state's seat belt law on every driver.South Carolina has a seat belt law, but law enforcement authorities aren't allowed to enforce it on all motorists. The exception is for children, and an officer can stop a motorist if he sees someone 17 or younger not buckled up.Highway traffic studies produce solid evidence that seat belts save lives, but the Palmetto State has been slow to embrace changes to its seat belt law, while the number of people in the state not using their seat belts grows and the number of traffic-related deaths rises.Fatalities are up 6 percent over last year's count, and the Highway Patrol reports that out of the nearly 900 fatal car crashes this year -- up 3 percent over last year -- 74 percent of the cars' occupants weren't wearing seat belts.National transportation figures suggest that seat belt usage is down in South Carolina, which generally ranks among the worst in the nation when it comes to buckling up, but it's worsened this year -- a 26 percent reduction in usage, down from a 72.8 percent use rate last year.It's a worsening habit that not only is claiming more lives but also drives up insurance premiums and health care costs. And think of the emotional impact on others when there is a loss of life or critical injuries.It is imperative that government help protect citizens, regardless of whether a few lawmakers or even a large segment of the motoring public would disagree. When the General Assembly again debates primary enforcement of the state's seat belt law during the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers should fulfill that responsibility.