There are so many uncontrollable
factors causing South Carolina roads to be among America's most
dangerous that it's hard to fathom why lawmakers would resist a
chance to save lives.
By a vote of 65-46, the S.C. House of Representatives last week
approved and sent to the state Senate a bill allowing police to
ticket adult motorists without first stopping them for another
reason. If it becomes law, this measure would close the final
loophole needed to give law officers the power to make people buckle
up.
Currently, the law says motorists over 18 cannot be stopped for a
seat belt violation but they can be ticketed if an officer stops
them for another offense or, for instance, observes them during a
license check. For persons under 18, failure to wear a seat belt
already is a primary violation punishable with a fine of up to
$25.
South Carolina ranks third in the nation in traffic fatalities,
and although drinking and speeding are responsible for most of those
deaths, one glaring statistic is that two-thirds of the people
killed each year on Palmetto State roads were not wearing a
seatbelt.
A group of business leaders, tired of the carnage on our
highways, is pressuring the General Assembly to put teeth into the
state's seat belt law. Sadly, they had no luck persuading state Rep.
Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill. "This bill is about empowering
government, not empowering people," Simrill said.
The same criticism could be levied against laws limiting speed,
require motorists to turn on their headlights after dark or not to
drive the wrong way on one-way streets.
Thankfully, a majority of Simrill's colleagues put more value on
citizens' lives. Let's hope a majority of their Senate colleagues
agree.
It's time to stop the slaughter on South Carolina roads.
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In summary
S.C. House approves bill to make seat belt violation a
primary offense.
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