R.I. proposes ‘primary’ seat belt law
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New Seatbelt Law
Rhode Island officials say toughening the state's seat belt law will save lives and money.
NBC 10
Published: March 23, 2009
Updated: March 23, 2009
PROVIDENCE - Rhode Island officials say toughening the state’s seat belt law will save lives and money.
A proposal in the governor’s budget would change the law, allowing police to pull over motorists exclusively for not strapping in.
Currently, police can issue citations only if they’ve stopped a driver for another reason.
The Providence Journal reports that state police and the Department of Transportation say a “primary” seat belt law could increase usage to about 84 percent, preventing an average of four deaths and 96 serious injuries annually.
It could also save millions in medical expenses and property damage, and qualify Rhode Island for $3.7 million in federal money.
Critics worry that a new law will lead to more racial profiling in traffic stops.
Reader Reactions
I can see your point were you say it will save lives but I suppose you support prohibition of alcohol because there will be less drunk driving problems thus saving lives. History has proven us otherwise. All this law will do is create more paranoia and uproar and giving police officers more power than they need. What’s next random searches of your home without warrants? I though this was America. And I can tell you one thing I this law passes I will not vote for ANYONE who supports this bill.
Steve, I thought you meant when flying and then there you have no choice. And Im sorry about your aunt. Just think about how your insurance may go down if all the drivers involved in crashes that were not wearing seat belts were and survived with minimal injuries. And with regards to take off speeds of aircraft, it depends upon what you are flying. I personally preferred vertical takeoffs and always wore a belt and that was slow speed! Tougher seat belt laws will save lives, there is no denying that.
I appreciate your concern, but I already told you I do wear my seatbelt.
But what about School buses, and motorcycles both don’t have seat belts. We care so much about children but no seat belts on buses. So now when I ride my motorcycle am I going to get a ticket for $85 because I doesn’t have a seatbelt. This law doesn’t make sense I would like them to keep it the way it is. That all I’m saying. This is just a money making law. What happens now if the death rate goes up because of this. My aunt died in a car crash and she WAS wearing her seat belt. One reason why I feel the way I do.
You can email me off the list at police340@cox.net to debate this. I am not arguing at all. Just trying to save your life!
Wow! What a surprise! NOT! See it is a good idea to wear’em
The driver of the Mercedes and her passenger were wearing seat belts, and weren’t hurt.
NBC 10 News
Published: March 24, 2009
SWANSEA, Mass.—Police have released the name of the victim in a deadly rollover accident on Interstate 195 west in Swansea on Sunday.
Investigators said Joseph Vasconcelos, 21, of Wareham lost control of his car near exit 2, hit a Mercedes, then crashed into the woods.
He died at the scene.
The driver of the Mercedes and her passenger were wearing seat belts, and weren’t hurt.
yes I travel and I do not want to have an argument with you personally, but I have no problem debating this with you. I would take your point as valid if this was a bill about fling, but this bill is not about that. I do not want them to be able to pull me over and fine me $85 dollars just for not wearing a seatbelt (then my insurance goes up). And what’s to say the cop says well it “looked” like you weren’t wearing one. I can’t tell you the number of times myself included that I heard a story that someone as pulled over by a “guesstimation” of speed. And to answer your question YES I do wear one.
BTW when fling takeoff speed is roughly 160-200mph. the fastest I will go on the highway is 65-75. not quite the same comparison.
i think belts save or dont save lives 50% of the time so either way your taking a chance.so if i dont wanna wear my belt then im still taking the same chance.i think alot of people are missing the point . the GOVERNMENT is saying that tougher seat belt laws will save money thats a lie. tougher seat belt laws will MAKE MONEY FOR THE STATE.
Do you fly Steve? You dont have the choice there; if you odnt buckle in you wont be flying. Look at the statistics. My point was a rhetorical one, I choose to die is not a choice!
your making my point, we want the right to make the choice not THE GOVERNMENT MAKING THE CHOICE FOR US and had he survived the accident not wearing the seatbelt would you have fined him $85?
The ones that pass away are the ones who are not belted in. They are thrown from the vehicle and they are killed. Plain and simple. I had one rollover on 95 a few years ago, the car was barely damaged but the driver was dead. I saw a blood stain on the passenger door right below the window. Turns out he was partially decapitated when the car ran over his head. There is no question in my mind that he would be alive to see his young children grow had be been belted in. The only reason I knew he had young children in his car is the cd was playing Sesame Street and a child seat in the back. he must have hit the p;lay button while being ejected from the car on his way to die.
You make the choice.
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