Drivers who don't buckle up on South Carolina roadways
could soon face $25 fines under a bill given initial approval Wednesday
by state lawmakers.
The S.C. House voted 81-34 to allow police to ticket motorists
spotted without seat belts -- a move applauded by law enforcement
officials and national safety experts.
"This is big news," said Judie Stone, president of the Washington,
D.C.-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "The state of South
Carolina is going to save a lot of lives."
Under current law, officers can always ticket drivers younger than 18
for not buckling up. But adults can be cited only if they are stopped
for other offenses.
The proposal now returns to the state Senate, which approved it
earlier this year. Gov. Mark Sanford, however, hasn't decided whether to
sign the bill into law.
Sanford wrote an opinion piece this year that said the bill would be
more effective if the state recorded the lack of seat belt use, reported
it to insurance agencies and allowed police to set up road checks.
"He's unlikely to support a bill that doesn't deal with these
issues," said Sanford's spokesman Chris Drummond. "I guess we'll have to
see what comes down."
Supporters, including many police and paramedics, say the bill would
save lives. Opponents, though, argue seat belt use ought to be a
personal choice -- and that a new law might not make a difference.
"I just think people ought to be responsible for their own actions,"
said Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-Clover, who voted against the bill. "I'm
concerned about how they're going to get it to work. It's hard for a
policeman to see anybody wearing seat belts at night. You'll have a
tough time, I believe."
Rock Hill Police Chief John Gregory, however, says the law would help
by preventing his officers from having to guess the age of drivers,
knowing they're only allowed to ticket those younger than 18.
If signed into law by Gov. Mark Sanford, South Carolina would join 21
states, including Georgia and North Carolina, that have primary seat
belt enforcement laws.
Fatality rates have dropped by 10 percent to 15 percent in those
states, according to Stone's group.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, said figures like those are why the
bill is a good idea.
"I've been a supporter from Day One," he said. "I think it just makes
common sense, particularly with the medical costs today. It'll make
(drivers) think twice, and I think that's a good thing. Wearing a seat
belt is a small liberty to lose, in my mind."
The House added an amendment requiring police to record the age,
gender and race of a seat belt violator. That change is designed to
prevent racial profiling.
Sen. Wes Hayes, R-Rock Hill, said the new amendment is unlikely cause
problems in the Senate.
"I think the changes are relatively minor, so I think the Senate will
probably go along with it," he said.
Experts contend that seat belts prevent wrecks from becoming deadly.
Nearly three-fourths of the 1,046 people who died last year in vehicle
accidents were not buckled up, according to the state Department of
Public Safety.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Matt Garfield • 329-4063
mgarfield@heraldonline.com
