HCS HB 90 -- SEAT BELTS

SPONSOR:  St. Onge

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 8 to 2.

This substitute requires all drivers and passengers in cars or
trucks to wear a seat belt.  Exemptions are allowed for United
States Postal Service employees while performing their duties,
persons operating or riding a motor vehicle being used in
agricultural work-related activities, and persons with a medical
reason with documentation from a physician.

The substitute also clarifies existing language which allows a
person to ride without a seat belt when there are more persons
than there are seat belts.

Currently, each driver and front-seat passenger of passenger cars
and trucks with a licensed gross weight under 12,000 pounds must
wear a seat belt, and a person cannot be stopped solely for a
seat belt violation.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that upgrading Missouri's seat belt
law from secondary to primary enforcement is the most effective
way for Missouri to reduce traffic deaths, injuries, and their
costs.  Primary seat belt usage could possibly save the lives of
90 Missouri residents and prevent approximately 1,000 serious
injuries each year.

Testifying for the bill were Representative St. Onge; National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, United States Department
of Transportation; Department of Transportation; National Safety
Council; Missouri Safety Council; Missouri Coalition for Roadway
Safety; Matthew Cushman; Randy Jotte, MD, American College of
Medical Physicians; Jefferson County Sheriff's Office; Donald E.
Evans; Highway and Transportation Employees' Association; State
Farm Insurance Companies; Heavy Contractors Association of
Greater Kansas City; Missouri Insurance Coalition; American
Insurance Association; Missouri Hospital Association; Caitlin
Stumpe; Cheri and Steven Bowden; Megan McDevitt; Lievi Allen;
Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Missouri; Missouri Chamber of
Commerce and Industry; Property Casualty Insurers Association of
America; 3M/Traffic Control Material Division; Central Missouri
State University; Associated General Contractors of St. Louis;
St. Charles County Ambulance District; AAA Auto Club of Missouri;
Sharee Galnore, Cape Giradeau Safe Communities Program; Cape
Girardeau Police Department; Missouri Laborers' Legislative
Committee; Associated General Contractors of Missouri; Children's
Mercy Hospitals and Clinics; American Medical Response; Alliance
of Automobile Manufacturers; Greater Kansas City Chamber of
Commerce; Daimler Chrysler; St. Louis County Municipal League;
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; General Motors
Corporation; and Ford Motor Company.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:18 am