6/10/05-A bill to permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts became law after Gov. Mark Sanford did not veto it by midnight June 8.
The governor allowed the bill to become law without his endorsement, his response to a measure he said is not strict enough and will not be effective.
The new law takes effect in December. Until then, offenders will receive a warning only.
Under the old law, police could issue seat-belt citations to drivers older than age 17 only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation. However, such violations have been a primary offense for anyone 17 and younger who is not belted.
The new law, previously S1, allows police to pull over all drivers for not buckling up. Violations carry a $25 fine.
The new version, however, has limitations. Police cannot issue seat-belt tickets at traffic checkpoints or roadblocks and violations cannot be reported to insurance companies. It also forbids police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation.

6/2/05-The Legislature has OK’d a bill to permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.
A House and Senate conference committee work out the final details on the bill June 1. The bill – S1 – now heads to Gov. Mark Sanford, who has said he would veto the legislation.
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.
The compromise sets a $25 fine for seat-belt offenses. No points would be assessed against a driver’s license.
Sanford is disappointed the offenses cannot be reported to insurance companies, The Orangeburg Times and Democrat reported. He also wanted a bill that allowed a conviction for failing to buckle up to be factor in injury lawsuits as well as causing repeat offenders to pay more for auto insurance.
The bill would forbid police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation. Police also would be prohibited from issuing seat-belt tickets at traffic checkpoints.
If Sanford follows through with his veto threat, House and Senate lawmakers could seek an override when they return in a special session for two days beginning June 14. Supporters would have to get a two-thirds vote of both chambers to overrule the governor.
In addition, the effort could mean more money for roads and bridges. A proposal before Congress would give any state that adopts tougher seat-belt rules one-time grant money equal to 500 percent of the highway funding they received in 2003, The Associated Press reported.
For bill status, call (803) 734-2060.

2/24/05-The House Education and Public Works Committee voted on Feb. 22 to advance a bill to permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.
S1, sponsored by Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, now heads to the full House for further consideration. The bill passed the Senate Feb. 2.
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.
The bill’s current version requires drivers found in violation to be fined up to $25 – the same amount under present law. Revenue would be used to help pay for the state’s Amber Alert system for missing children. No points would be assessed against a driver’s license.
It also would forbid police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation.
For Senate bill status, call (803) 734-2060.

2/4/05-The Senate voted 32-11 on Feb. 2 to pass a tougher seat-belt bill that would permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.
The bill now moves to the House.
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 S1, sponsored by Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, drivers found in violation would be fined $25. No points would be assessed against their licenses.
It also would forbid police from searching a vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle is pulled over solely for a seat-belt violation.
For Senate bill status, call (803) 734-2060.

1/20/05-The Senate Transportation Committee has endorsed legislation that would permit police to pull over drivers who are not wearing their seat belts. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
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 S1, sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, 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.
For bill status, call (803) 734-2060.

12/14/04-Drivers caught not wearing their seat belts could be pulled over under legislation filed in the Senate.
The proposal, sponsored by Senate Transportation Chair Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up. Currently, police can ticket 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 the proposal – S1 – the fine would be $25 if anyone in the vehicle were unrestrained.
No points would be assessed against the driver’s license. It 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.
It has been sent to the Senate Transportation Committee awaiting consideration once the Legislature convenes Jan. 11. For bill status, call (803) 734-2060.