Seat belt measure approved

Tuesday, May 6, 2003 | 8:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill requiring adult passengers in taxicabs to wear seat belts or face a fine of up to $25 was approved by the Senate Monday by a 13-8 vote.

The Senate Finance Committee Monday also heard testimony on another bill that would make the failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense, allowing a law enforcement officer to stop a driver for a seat-belt violation.

Assembly Bill 226, which goes to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature, requires taxi passengers 18 and older to wear a seat belt and that owners of taxicabs must post signs in the cabs advising passengers of the law.

Under the bill, the passenger could be issued a citation if the driver was stopped for another violation.

The current law makes failure to wear a seat belt a secondary offense, meaning officers can issue citations only if they stop the vehicle for another violation.

Senate Bill 480 would make it a primary offense.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Patrick McGill told the Senate Finance Committee the bill would save lives and money.

He said drivers injured in accidents cost taxpayers money when their hospital and medical costs are picked up by Medicaid and the counties.

Traci Filippi, representing the state Office of Traffic Safety, said enacting this bill would mean an additional $650,000 a year in federal funds.

About 19 states have primary seat belt laws, but the rest, including Nevada, allow a citation only if the vehicle is stopped for another reason.

Filippi told the committee that passage of the bill would increase seat belt usage by 6 percent. It is estimated that about 25 percent of drivers do not buckle up.

She said the SB480 would save 13 lives and prevent 280 injuries a year.