3/15/05-A bill intended to permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up has died in a conference committee.
The House approved SB109 earlier but with some amendments. The Senate, which previously passed the legislation, didn’t agree with the changes.
The original bill, sponsored by Sen. Karen Hale, D-Midvale, would have allowed police to ticket drivers 19 or older for seat-belt violations. House lawmakers removed that provision after they approved an amendment to suspend driver’s licenses of 16- and 17-year-olds for 30 days for not buckling up.
Currently, police can ticket drivers 19 or older for seat-belt violations only after stopping vehicles for another traffic violation. However, such violations are a primary offense for anyone under the age of 19.
In addition, the Legislature’s failure to adopt the stricter seat-belt rules could cost Utah some federal funding.
Jeffrey Runge, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said recently the federal government plans to offer a $17 million, one-time incentive to states that passed a primary law.

1/26/05-The Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee voted 4-1 on Jan. 25 to forward a bill to the full Senate that would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up.
SB109, sponsored by Sen. Karen Hale, D-Midvale, would create a primary law for seat-belt enforcement. Currently, police can ticket drivers and passengers age 19 or older for seat-belt violations only after stopping vehicles for another traffic violation.
However, such violations are a primary offense for anyone under the age of 19.
If signed into law, the provision could put Utah in line for additional federal money.
The federal government plans to provide states with primary seat-belt laws with a new grant source once Congress passes the transportation reauthorization act. The act is expected for debate this congressional session.
Utah is one of 28 states without a primary seat-belt law.
For Senate bill status, call (801) 538-1035.