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Tougher seat belt bill heads to governor

Published Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Adult drivers spotted without a seat belt could be stopped by police and fined under a tougher seat belt bill given final approval in the Legislature on Wednesday.

The measure was expected to be ratified Thursday and head to Gov. Mark Sanford, who has said he would veto the legislation.

Sanford is disappointed the offenses cannot be reported to insurance companies. He also wanted a bill that allowed a conviction for failing to buckle up to be a factor in injury lawsuits as well as causing repeat offenders to pay more for car insurance.

The House adopted a compromise Wednesday that had been worked out in a conference committee with the Senate.

The bill would allow officers to stop drivers who are not wearing a seat belt. Currently, adult drivers can be ticketed for failing to buckle up only if they are stopped for another traffic offense.

The compromise sets a $25 fine for seat belt offenses.

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