Senate kills tougher seat belt legislation

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/8534395.htm

I hate to agree with the Republicans on anything, but I do agree with them on the seat belt issue. The government has no right to tell me that I have to wear a seat belt. The same goes for helmets for motorcycles and bicycles. It's my life. I take chances if I want to do so.

Do you feel about this issue?

Senate kills tougher seat belt legislation

JIM DAVENPORT

Associated Press


COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Senate killed a bill that would let police stop adult drivers for not wearing seat belts.

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The bill, which is favored by the majority of the Senate, has been held up by opponents saying it is unnecessary regulation. Those opponents have been filibustering for weeks and supporters of the bill didn't have enough votes to end the filibuster and take a vote on the bill.

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Wednesday's vote to kill the bill broke mostly along party lines in the Republican-controlled Senate. Many GOP legislators were concerned about a variety of bills languishing on the Senate's calendar that faced a Friday deadline to pass so the House can consider them.

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The state already requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. However, police can only ticket adult drivers for the offense if they are pulled over for another violation. Police can stop cars when children or drivers younger than 18 aren't wearing seat belts.

Opponents said the change took government powers to the point of invading personal liberties. That fight was led by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.

I can see both sides of the question, but I come down in favor of seat belt use (yes, there are many ancillary issues associated with that, what if the cop sees an open beer can in your back seat, etc.). However, every time I am in Columbia (about once a month - folks live on Lake Murray), I just get sick and tired of seeing all the "organ donors" riding on their motorcycles without helmets. It's the same thing with seatbelts too - why wouldnt you wear them?

think of a reason not too. Maybe I've been in the health care field to long, but I say Yes to seat belts and helmets too.

I started out working in the ER phlebing in the 70's before seatbelt laws in TX. At 16 I'd helped hold enough heads will Doctors picked glass, teeth ect... out of faces to start wearing them on my on.

I could tell you the story of a rider with out a helmet but most people know the equation. Motorcycle rider -vs- car, road, wall ect..
unprotected rider loses almost every time.

we walk too. especially for people older than 65 yrs They tend to fall down alot and I really hate seeing that too. Then we should pass some laws banning rollerblades and skis and I can go on but really I don't think I need to.

Winnowing down the gene pool to those more prone to consequential thinking ....

It's a stupid law only in place to lower insurance premiums. About the number of injuries, and deaths, caused by not wearing them, well it's not like we didn't warn them.

What about buses and motorcycles?

I can see safety seats and seat belts for minors being mandatory. But not wearing a seat belt does not affect driving ability.

But for adults I see no reason to make it illegal.

Tidbit - In PA seat belts are not required in the back seat for adults. Not many people (and many police as well) know that.

The thing I hate is that people assume they are safe to drive around like a fool because they have a seat belt on. People die and get maimed and scarred if they are wearing seat belts.

It's just to get more money out of the public not to make us safer.