Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A new bill would make it a primary offense in Utah not to wear a seatbelt on the highway. Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, says she wants to give a new safety tool to officers and troopers.
Many people would never dream of being unbuckled, but right now it's a secondary offense — meaning you have to be pulled over for something else. Utah lawmakers who have tried to make it a primary offense have been shot down over the years.
Robles is trying again and believes the reason why fatality rates are lower in other states is because they have a primary seat belt law on the books.
The goal of the citations is not to make revenue but to help make Utah highways safer and to help Utahns stay safe during accidents. The bill states that seat belts should be mandated at speeds over 55 mph.
"It will reduce medical costs," Robles said. "And it's also about people's lives."
The bill includes a year of education before enforcement. Officers wouldn't give citations in the first year, just warnings.
"It's about law enforcement engaging with the driver and telling them why this is so critical," she said.
The bill made it out of committee by one vote last year before being voted down along almost all party lines.
