Mandatory Seat Belt Bills Clear Virginia Senate

The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to allow police to pull over and ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt.

The bill passed 24-16 Wednesday and heads to the House, where similar efforts have died in past years.

Currently, police can only issue tickets for not wearing seat belts if the driver is pulled over for some other traffic violation. This bill would allow a ticket for anyone in the front seat not wearing a seat belt.

Republican Sen. Thomas Norment of James City proposed a less strict measure, something he dubbed the “dumb driver bill.” It would allow police to ticket those stopped at traffic safety checkpoints who are not wearing a seat belt.

Norment’s proposal passed on a 26-14 vote.

Latest Comments

• February 1, 2010 at 10:04 am

  Mark says:

  Mark: Can you provide documentation to back up your descriminatorily enforcement claim? If not, your statement is irresponsible.
• January 30, 2010 at 4:42 am

  Mark says:

  Common misconception but not true. They can search any areas inside the car that you can easily reach, or go further if they see anything in plain view or something you say g... read more
• January 30, 2010 at 12:40 pm

  wudchuck says:

  not it does not give them the right to search your vehicle... they still have to have a warrant! now, if you give them permission, then they can search...