COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A stronger seat belt bill
allowing police to pull over adult drivers solely for not wearing their
seat belt has become law after Gov. Mark Sanford did not veto it by
midnight Wednesday.
Senate Clerk Jeff Gossett said early Thursday morning the governor
did not send him his veto, meaning either Sanford signed the bill or let
it become law without his signature.
The governor's office did not return a phone message early Thursday
morning to say what Sanford decided to do with the bill or explain his
decision.
Sanford, who has scheduled a news conference for 10:45 a.m. Thursday,
had said he planned to veto the bill because its penalties were not
harsh enough.
The law allows 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.
Sanford had said he 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.
