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To Senator Karen Hale and her admirable effort to have a primary seat belt law in Utah ultimately come to be, KSL says, keep trying. Her perennial measure died again in committee earlier last week, as it has each of the last few years.
As it now stands, seat belt use in Utah is mandatory, even for adults. However, law enforcement is only allowed to ticket an adult violator for not wearing a seat belt if the vehicle is stopped for another infraction. Senator Hale is trying to make it a primary offense, meaning a vehicle could be stopped and the occupants cited solely because they are not using seat restraints.
The intent is not to reduce freedom, harass motorists, or generate funds for government coffers through fines. Rather, the sole purpose of a primary seat belt law is to protect people, and by the force of law emphasize the importance of using seat belts. For the same reason, there are laws that require motorists to stop at stop signs, drive within posted speed limits and observe a host of other requirements.
So, to Senator Hale, we indeed say, keep trying. Push the measure again next year. The lives of Utahns are at stake.
