Hoffman files legislation to get more drivers to buckle up

[Chuck]

FRANKFORT -- Rep. Charlie Hoffman, D-Georgetown, has pre-filed legislation that would establish a primary seat belt law in Kentucky, a move that could save an estimated 62 lives each year.

Failure to wear a seat belt while driving is currently a secondary offense, which means police can only cite drivers who don't buckle up if they've been pulled over for some other offense. Hoffman's legislation would give police the authority to cite drivers who aren't wearing seat belts even if no other offense is committed.

"After working with various groups throughout the state, we have come up with a piece of legislation most Kentuckians can live with," Hoffman said.

Besides saving lives and preventing serious injuries, establishing a primary seat belt law would also save the state hundreds of millions of dollars in medical and economic costs, according to a report issued by the Kentucky Institute of Medicine.

The state also stands to gain more than $11 million in federal highway funds if a primary seat belt law is implemented, Hoffman said.

Kentucky ranks 47th among states in seat belt use, according to the Kentucky Institute of Medicine. While the nation's average rate of seat belt use is 82 percent, only 67 percent of Kentuckians buckle up.

Hoffman's legislation, BR 65, sets a fine of $25 for drivers who are cited for not wearing seat belts. The fine can be pre-paid with no court costs.

The legislation would prohibit police from setting up roadblocks solely to check on drivers' seat belt use. It would also prohibit information about citations related to seat belt use from being entered into a Department of Transportation database that insurers could review.

The General Assembly's 2006 session starts Jan. 3.

[Anonymous Coward]

But there is an attachment to this. In exchange, they will increase the speed limit on the highways to 70 or 75 miles an hour.

[Chuck]

But there is an attachment to this. In exchange, they will increase the speed limit on the highways to 70 or 75 miles an hour.


Ahhh, No.

But I would not be surprised to see a Cell phone Usage Law passed this year.

[Anonymous Coward]

** not to be disrespectful but~~~ Ahhh, yes **

From www.wkyt.com
The issue of higher speeds on interstates and parkways may once again be up for consideration when lawmakers convene the regular session that begins next month.

A possible compromise could raise the speed limit on interstates and parkways to 70 mph – in exchange for a primary seat-belt law, WKYT-TV in Lexington, KY, reported.

[Chuck]

** not to be disrespectful but~~~ Ahhh, yes **

From www.wkyt.com
The issue of higher speeds on interstates and parkways may once again be up for consideration when lawmakers convene the regular session that begins next month.

A possible compromise could raise the speed limit on interstates and parkways to 70 mph – in exchange for a primary seat-belt law, WKYT-TV in Lexington, KY, reported.


Ahh, No.

It was discussed but tabled for the future. As you can read what is here strait from the legislators yesterday, no where does it read anything about speed increases.

Giving you a hard time cause I just figured out who you are from the way you type. It is a style you can't hide no matter how many ID's you make.

Typing is a visual language style that we all have. I am going to have so much fun with this now.....

[Anonymous Coward]

Giving you a hard time cause I just figured out who you are from the way you type. It is a style you can't hide no matter how many ID's you make.

Typing is a visual language style that we all have. I am going to have so much fun with this now.....


Rolling on the floor laughing my *** OFF!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

this is what i found today on Lexington WKYT...
State representatives mulling new seat belt laws








FRANKFORT, Ky. State representatives are considering taking new steps in an effort to get drivers to buckle up.

Two new proposals to be introduced to the General Assembly next Tuesday would allow officers to stop and ticket drivers solely for not wearing their seatbelts.

Currently, it's illegal not to wear a seat belt while riding in cars, vans or pickup trucks, but police must have another reason for pulling someone over.

Previous attempts at such legislation have stalled in the General Assembly. But a recent study shows the state could save about $118 (m) million dollars over next 10 years in health care with passage of a primary seat belt law. The state would also receive an extra $11-point-2 (m) million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration if such a law were put on the books.

As of December 18th, 940 people in Kentucky had been killed in traffic crashes in 2005, and 536 of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[nickleahevan]

This is great. You two need to start a post of just arguing with each other. Now that would be fun. LOL

[Chuck]

This is great. You two need to start a post of just arguing with each other. Now that would be fun. LOL

LOL, Yes it is fun.

[Chuck]

this is what i found today on Lexington WKYT...
State representatives mulling new seat belt laws

FRANKFORT, Ky. State representatives are considering taking new steps in an effort to get drivers to buckle up.

Two new proposals to be introduced to the General Assembly next Tuesday would allow officers to stop and ticket drivers solely for not wearing their seat belts.

Currently, it's illegal not to wear a seat belt while riding in cars, vans or pickup trucks, but police must have another reason for pulling someone over.

Previous attempts at such legislation have stalled in the General Assembly. But a recent study shows the state could save about $118 (m) million dollars over next 10 years in health care with passage of a primary seat belt law. The state would also receive an extra $11-point-2 (m) million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration if such a law were put on the books.

As of December 18th, 940 people in Kentucky had been killed in traffic crashes in 2005, and 536 of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Where you getting you news from, the cartoon network? lmao

"Just Kidding" WKYT is a good news source.

I hear there is a separate bill regarding speed limits but it is not associated with the seat belt bill.

Could be wrong but my souces have not let me down yet.

[lone wolf]

Now isn't this something....I have to say that I disagree on a law that forces the american public to wear a seatbelt. I do believe that the laws of this land firmly states that you have the right to choose and as long as my choice doesn't cause harm to my fellow highway drivers, then how can law makers make that choice for me? I feel that this is just another mild mannered way for the states to raise revenue by means of fines and hiding behind the guise of public safety.

Now passing a law to prohibit cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle is another matter. Since on the average, the person operating the cell phone isn't giving their full attention to driving, then they can and do cause accidents to happen. Since the operation of cell phones while driving does cause this lack of attention by the driver, it directly places his/her fellow highway drivers at risk. Thus passing a law to prohibit their use while driving makes good sense.

[Chuck]

Now isn't this something....I have to say that I disagree on a law that forces the american public to wear a seatbelt. I do believe that the laws of this land firmly states that you have the right to choose and as long as my choice doesn't cause harm to my fellow highway drivers, then how can law makers make that choice for me? I feel that this is just another mild mannered way for the states to raise revenue by means of fines and hiding behind the guise of public safety.

Now passing a law to prohibit cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle is another matter. Since on the average, the person operating the cell phone isn't giving their full attention to driving, then they can and do cause accidents to happen. Since the operation of cell phones while driving does cause this lack of attention by the driver, it directly places his/her fellow highway drivers at risk. Thus passing a law to prohibit their use while driving makes good sense.


I should add that the Cell Phone bill is just a rumor I heard. Have nothing to support it.

[nickleahevan]

I agree that there needs to be a law against driving and talking on cell phones. I don't know who many times I have had someone pull out in front of me or even try to go into my lane into the side of me because they were on a cell phone and not paying attention. If a person doesn't wear a selt belt and they get hurt or even die due to it, they have only themselves to blame, but if you are on a cell phone, then you are not only put yourself in danger, but others also.

[mark]

...............I wear seatbelts not because of a law. Who cares about a law. I wear seatbelts because there are too many fools & drunks on the highways these days..........see ya mark

[nickleahevan]

...............I wear seatbelts not because of a law. Who cares about a law. I wear seatbelts because there are too many fools & drunks on the highways these days..........see ya mark
Amen to that.

[darkangelsblade]

I had a wreck one time (about 11 or 12 yrs. ago) and they told me that if I had been wearing a seatbelt that I would have had some broken bones. Weither you wear a seat belt or not if it is your time to go you will go. I got lucky and only had bruises and some soreness.

[ponto]

Motorcycle helmet use is observed annually as a part of the state's safety belt usage survey in Kentucky.

Since the use of seat belts and the use of helmets, are both laws in the commonwealth, they are related.

If a person wants to get a sticker for their car that says I carry so much insurance that I have the right to sit in this car with no seatbelt, maybe our really wise law makers will go along with it.

More (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/kentuky-la03/LawChgKy.html)