House overrides seat belt bill veto

COLUMBIA -- The state House on Monday overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of a bill that would increase the fine for adults who fail to properly buckle up children riding in their vehicles.

"I'm pleased by the lopsided vote," Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg, said after the 26-3 vote.

The bill now moves to the House. It could take up the veto as early as today.

The bill would increase the fine from $25 to $150, but the fine would be waived for violators who provided proof that they had purchased proper child restraints.

Sanford vetoed the bill Wednesday. He said he issued the veto because violations could not be presented as evidence in lawsuits arising from accidents and because it "undermines parental responsibility and authority."

Hawkins, who co-sponsored the bill, questioned why Sanford would veto child-safety legislation after allowing a bill to become law a year ago that allows law enforcement to stop and ticket adult drivers who aren't wearing a seat belt.

"If the governor felt so strongly about admissibility (in court), why veto the bill dealing with children instead of the one dealing with adults?" Hawkins said. "I'm disappointed that he would let the primary enforcement bill go but that he would veto this one. It's without reason."

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said the governor clearly spelled out his reasoning.

"Contrary to what Sen. Hawkins said on the Senate floor, the governor did address those concerns when he let that (primary enforcement) bill go," Sawyer said.

Sen. Vince Sheheen, D-Camden, who co-sponsored the bill with Hawkins, said he was surprised that such a little bill became such a big deal to Sanford. He said that the proposal doesn't address the personal responsibility of adults.

"It talks about children who can't make up their minds if they want to be buckled in and whether we're going to hold adults responsible if they're going to put kids in a car and drive down the highway at 75 miles per hour," Sheheen said.

Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, who voted to override the veto, said Sanford was wrong in calling it a parental responsibility issue.

"It's a public safety issue," he said.

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.