Political shenanigans

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums

Unable to defeat a stronger seat-belt law, some senators are trying to kill the worthwhile measure by loading it down with amendments. If they succeed, it would be yet another example of narrow politics getting the best of a law designed to save lives.

Last year, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, succeeded in filibustering the seat-belt law to death. This year, he's leading efforts to tack on amendments designed to undercut support for the bill. The Associated Press quoted McConnell as saying: "If you can't derail it, try to load it down with baggage."

Opponents of the bill, for instance, tried to raise the fine for a seat-belt violation to $1,000. But supporters beat back that amendment. The legislation imposes a $25 fine.

Opponents also tried to make those violating the seat-belt law subject to higher insurance rates. That also was an attempt to scuttle support from the majority of senators.

The stronger seat-belt law under consideration would allow police to stop adult drivers for not wearing a seat belt. Currently in South Carolina, motorists can be fined for not wearing a seat belt only if they are stopped for other violations.

Fewer people die on the road in states with tough seat-belt laws. South Carolina, with its weak seat-belt law, has one of the highest fatality rates on the road in the nation.

A tougher seat-belt law must be coupled with stronger law enforcement along our deadly roadways. State senators should not let the seat-belt law fail under an onslaught of political shenanigans.