5/3/05-A bill to permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts is likely dead.
It failed to meet a May 1 deadline to pass the House. Now it will take a two-thirds vote in favor to restart the bill.
Currently, police can issue seat-belt citations to drivers older than age 17 only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
However, such violations are a primary offense for anyone 17 and younger who is not belted.
Under H3057, drivers found in violation would be fined $25. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
The bill also would forbid police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation.
If signed into law, the regulation would mean more money for roads and bridges.
States that don’t have such a law must use some of their federal highway dollars on safety issues, such as guardrails and road signs, but they don’t lose any federal funding.

2/16/05-A bill offered by Rep. Joe Brown, D-Columbia, would permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.
Currently, police can issue seat-belt citations to drivers older than age 17 only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
However, such violations are a primary offense for anyone 17 and younger who is not belted.
Under H3057, drivers found in violation would be fined $25. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
The bill also would forbid police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation.
If signed into law, the regulation would mean more money for roads and bridges.
States that don’t have such a law must use some of their federal highway dollars on safety issues, such as guardrails and road signs, but they don’t lose any federal funding.
The bill is in the House Education and Public Works Committee. For House bill status, call (803) 734-6720.
A similar Senate bill – S1 – also is in the House Education and Public Works Committee. It previously passed the Senate.