4/19/06-Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed a bill into law Tuesday, April 18, that will permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up.
Existing state law prohibits law enforcement officers to stop drivers solely for not wearing seat belts. To issue seat-belt citations, drivers must be stopped for another traffic violation, such as speeding.
The stricter seat-belt rule takes effect in July. Violators will receive warnings and not tickets until Jan. 1, 2007.
The seat-belt provision and a requirement that children younger than age 16 wear helmets when riding all-terrain vehicles were added to a House-approved bill calling for increased testing to detect lead poisoning among children.
The multifaceted measure – HB117 – prohibits law enforcement from setting up roadblocks solely to check for seat-belt violations. It also prohibits points from being assessed against the driver’s license.

4/18/06-The House voted 48-45 to send a bill to Gov. Ernie Fletcher that would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up. The Senate already signed off on the measure.
Existing state law prohibits law enforcement officers to stop drivers solely for not wearing seat belts. To issue seat-belt citations, drivers must be stopped for another traffic violation, such as speeding.
The seat-belt provision and a requirement that children younger than age 16 wear helmets when riding all-terrain vehicles were added to a House-approved bill that would increase testing to detect lead poisoning among children.
The multifaceted measure – HB117 – would prohibit law enforcement from setting up roadblocks solely to check for seat-belt violations. It also would prohibit points from being assessed against the driver’s license.

3/28/06-The Senate has approved a bill that would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up.
Existing state law prohibits law enforcement officers to stop drivers solely for not wearing seat belts. To issue seat-belt citations, drivers must be stopped for another traffic violation, such as speeding.
The seat-belt provision and a requirement that kids younger than age 16 wear helmets when riding all-terrain vehicles were added to a House-approved bill – HB117 – that would increase testing to detect lead poisoning among children.
The bill now heads back to the House for further consideration. If approved, it would head to Gov. Ernie Fletcher for his signature.
As approved, the seat-belt provision would prohibit law enforcement from setting up roadblocks solely to check for seat-belt violations. It also would prohibit points from being assessed against the driver’s license.
For bill status, call (502) 564-8100. In Kentucky, call 1-877-257-5541.