Senate advances seat belt law; future uncertain

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 | 3:58 p.m.

Legislature 2009 coverage

CARSON CITY – By a 12-9 vote, the Senate has approved a toughened seat belt law allowing police to stop a motorist for failing to buckle up.

At present, law enforcement can only cite a driver for not wearing a seat belt if the motorist is stopped for another offense.

Senate Bill 116 now goes to an uncertain fate in the Assembly.

Two years ago the primary seat belt law was first defeated in the Senate by an 8-13 vote. But then it was revived and was approved 11-10. But it died in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

A seat belt bill wasn’t introduced in the 2005 Legislature but one in the 2003 session died in the Senate Finance Committee without coming to a vote of the full Senate.

In the balloting this time, both Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas and Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, voted against SB116.

Others who voted no this time were Sens. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City; Terry Care, D-Las Vegas; Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas; Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas; Bernice Mathews, D-Reno; Mike McGinness, R-Fallon and Maurice Washington, R-Sparks.

Sens. Bob Coffin and Valerie Wiener, both Democrats from Las Vegas, voted against the bill in 2007 but changed their vote to support it this time.

There was no debate on the bill.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By dalejrbudride

2/24/09 at 4:40 p.m.

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in this time of" economic stimulus," do you really think anyone cares about a primary seat belt law, most people are worried about putting food on their tables, having a job tomorrow , high gas prices, high rent, home foreclosures, food prices, , crime rates, gangs,.. etc, the last thing on the average vegas workers mind is a primary seat belt law, this is totally wrong ,that you would even consider this during our "economic stimulus " time..while the average hard working is struggling to make ends meet, and hope they have a job tomorrow !!!
By souper12

2/24/09 at 5:20 p.m.

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The proposed seat belt law is an invasion of our rights! It would be better to start ticketing speeders. A collision at 35 would mean a dented fender. Because people think they are on a NASCAR TRACK and go 20 to 30 M P H over the limit when there is a collision , it may create injuries. Instead of a new law? Why not enforce the current laws? I think in stopping speeders you would find many people driving while drinking. Why should we have to buckle up? If the speeders and the drunk drivers were to be arrested we would not be speaking about this issue. And guess what ??? The fines that would be collected would help our economy!What would be next ? Maybe see if we are wearing shoes while driving ?? ( I know this sounds silly but could be next!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
By jfnance32

2/24/09 at 5:43 p.m.

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Here is some more news about the above bill:

"Fifteen states -- including Pennsylvania -- are considering making the switch and need to do so before July to be eligible for millions in additional money from the federal government.

The federal money attached to seat-belt enforcement can be spent only for highway-related projects. It's not clear how much money Pennsylvania would qualify for."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbur...

It is all about the money.
By KillerB

2/24/09 at 8:17 p.m.

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dalejrbudride -- you overlooked something obvious: how are people worrying about the basics of feeding their families, and all you mentioned, going to pay those new traffic tickets? It's just a new way to suck cash away from people who need it the most.

Don't just vent here, do it on your senator (especially if he or she voted yes) and especially on your elected rep in the House. They have to vote it in, too.
By sbob2u

2/25/09 at 9:01 a.m.

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The more they put these nusance laws on the books, the less respect the law gets. They should vote out all those at Carson City that have nothing important to do.