House cites saved lives, OKs stricter seat-belt law

By JAMES MILLER, News-Journal Staff Writer

TALLAHASSEE -- For more than 20 years, wearing a safety belt has been mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers in Florida.

But law-enforcement officers couldn't stop drivers 18 years old or older for safety-belt violations alone.

On Wednesday, citing the lives it would save, the Florida House voted to change that.

The Senate had already backed the measure, which would allow "primary enforcement" in such cases.

If it's signed into law, police, deputies and troopers would be able to pull over drivers when they or their front-seat passengers aren't wearing safety belts -- even if they're doing nothing else wrong.

For safety-belt violators younger than 18 years old, that was already the case.

"It saves lives, bottom line," said Rep. Rich Glorioso, a Plant City Republican who sponsored the bill in the House. He said he hoped Gov. Charlie Crist would sign the bill as early as today.

"I think it's way overdue," Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said. "Anything we can do to bring up compliance is well worth it."

Proponents had pressed the issue in the Legislature for several years before getting it passed.

Former Boca Raton Rep. Irv Slosberg -- whose daughter, Dori, was killed in a 1996 accident when she wasn't wearing a safety belt -- started the push.

In the House, some representatives said they had to overcome concerns that such a law might lend itself to racial profiling.

"What persuaded me on this is that death and injury is neither black nor white," said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.

Glorioso acknowledged the money the change would bring into the state also may have helped get support from some wavering lawmakers.

In addition to the potential money from fines -- not wearing a seat belt is a $30 ticket -- the state will be eligible for $35.5 million in federal grant money.

One transportation-safety research group has estimated the law could save $140 million in insurance, Medicaid and other health care costs, according to a news release from AAA Auto Club South.

If signed by the governor, the change would go into effect June 30.

The bill also would remove an exemption to the safety-belt law for cases when the number of front-seat passengers in a pickup exceeds the number of belts installed.

The safety-belt law isn't the only traffic-safety and revenue proposal that's gained support in the Legislature. Lawmakers also have proposed a law that would standardize the use of cameras to catch red-light runners.

The bill would set a statewide $150 fine for violators. The city or county would keep three-fifths of the amount, with most of the remainder going to the state and trauma centers.