Seat-belt �bill goes �into law �

e-mail this story print this story More details WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN TO MOTORISTS ENFORCEMENT New: Can stop any car with unbelted driver or passenger. Old: Could stop cars only if someone younger than 18 was unbelted; adult drivers could be ticketed for failing to wear a seat belt only if they were first stopped for another offense. FINES New: Maximum $25 per person, $50 per car. No court fees or other surcharges can be added; fines cannot be suspended. Old: $25 and could be suspended. VEHICLE SEARCHES New: Police cannot search vehicles at stops made only for seat-belt violations unless they have probable cause. Old: Searches were allowed at seat-belt stops. RACIAL PROFILING New: Police will have to gather data on race, gender and age at traffic stops even if a ticket is not issued. Old: Information gathered only when tickets issued.

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While some residents welcomed the change, others said it is an invasion of privacy.

The fine is $25. But that won't be enforced for six months, until Jan. 9, according to Sid Gaulden, a state Department of Public Safety spokesman. Police will warn drivers for the next six months.

"We're talking about an educational campaign," Gaulden said.

Gov. Mark Sanford allowed the bill to become law without his signature after hinting for weeks that he would veto it. Sanford said he decided not to veto it because it merely strengthens a "well-intentioned, but flawed" law that has been on the books since 1989, The Associated Press reported.

Under the old law, officers could ticket adult drivers for seat-belt violations only if the car was stopped for another offense.

Gaulden said state officials predict the new level of enforcement will curtail some of the 1,000 traffic deaths statewide annually.

"This isn't another law just to stop somebody," Gaulden said. "I think if you save one life, it's well worth it."

"I agree with it," said Serena Adams, a mother of four. "You're not taking away anybody's freedom." Adams, a sixth-grade teacher, said the law will save lives.

Antonio Massey, 31, said the law goes too far. "Everybody has a right to their own privacy," he said. He said once an officer stops you, there is inevitably a series of other invasive questions.

Jeff Gilbert, a Greenville lawyer, said the seat-belt law should have remained a secondary enforcement tool. "I feel like it's unnecessary."

Bruce Lewke, who relocated to the Upstate from Michigan, where wearing a seat belt is also mandatory, said people should be able to have an option. "You're not hurting anybody else," he said.

Greenville Police Chief Willie Johnson said the law affects all drivers, including truck drivers. He said police may find it a little hard looking up into the cab of some trucks.

Gaulden said the state is planning an extensive statewide campaign. He said there were 470 traffic deaths statewide as of Thursday, about 30 higher than the number of traffic deaths at this time a year ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.