Motor vehicle safety belt systems; repeals language that makes nonuse secondary offense. (SB649)

Introduced By

Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patron Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)

Progress

√
 Introduced
X
 Passed Committee
☐
 Passed House
√
 Passed Senate
☐
 Signed by Governor
☐
 Became Law

Description

Motor vehicle safety belt systems. Repeals language that makes nonuse of motor vehicle safety belt systems a secondary offense. Amends § 46.2-1094 (“Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History

Map

This bill mentions Lynchburg.

Comments

R P McMurphy writes:

I oppose this bill. This bill effectively makes non-use of a seatbelt a "primary offense" that a police officer can then use to harass – I mean "stop" a driver for. This is nanny state legislation at its worse. Not wearing a seatbelt is not hazardous to other drivers! This law is wholly big brother government sticking its big nose where it does not belong to "protect you from yourself".

Indeed, I foresee a situation never mentioned by the proponents of this infringement of individual freedom. Police resources are limited. A police officer writing a seat belt ticket is a police officer unavailable to respond to a situation that is indeed a danger to the public. Perhaps proponents of this infringement of individual freedom should consider what they would say to the family of a person killed by a drunk driver that drove by a policeman that could have stopped him had he not been busy writing a seat belt ticket.

Posted 53 months ago.
I see dead people writes:

This bill will save 100 lives in the first year. It's worth it.

Posted 53 months ago.
Rebekah Branch writes:

An unbelted occupant is a danger to himself and everyone around them. Unbelted passengers are more likely to be ejected from the vehicle, which then proposes a hazard to other motorists.
In addition, children of drivers who buckle up are significantly more likely to buckle up themselves.

All of this means thousands of dollars that could be saved every year (not to mention the human cost) by a primary enforcement seat belt law.

Posted 53 months ago.