4/23/03-A Senate lawmaker is pushing legislation that that would permit police officers to pull over drivers for failure to wear a seat belt.
Under current law, police can issue seat-belt citations only if they stop drivers for another traffic violation.
With new authority, police can pull over drivers if they are not buckled up. Under SB37, the fine would be $25, up from the current $10.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Ronald Brown, R-Eau Claire, is hopeful the proposal, if signed into law, would curb injuries in the state resulting from failure to wear a seat belt.
The measure also provides that any driver ticketed in Wisconsin for a seat-belt infraction cannot be taken into custody.
It is in the Senate judiciary committee. A similar bill – AB90 – is in the Assembly transportation committee.
For bill status, call 1-800-362-9472.