Bill to Tighten Colorado Seat Belt Law Advancing at Capitol

A proposal to tighten Colorado’s seat belt law is advancing at the Capitol.

The Senate Transportation Committee backed the measure (Senate Bill 296) in a 4-3 party-line vote, with all Democrats backing it and all Republicans opposed. It now goes to the full Senate.

The bill would make failing to wear a seat belt a primary offense, allowing authorities to pull over violators for that reason alone. Currently seat belts are required, but violators can be ticketed only if they’re pulled over for another traffic offense and then found not to be wearing one.

Colorado could get up to $14 million in federal aid if the bill passes. Previous efforts have failed because of concerns about racial profiling and civil liberties.

Latest Comments

• May 5, 2009 at 5:43 am

  Thor says:

  Randy-- Nothing pure and simple about it. Not absurd either. We have numerous laws on the books (Federal & State) that limit what someone in authority (cops) can do and how th... read more
• May 4, 2009 at 11:12 am

  Randy Egan says:

  I feel it is absurd to restrict law officials not to have the right to stop a motorist with the only reason to enforce the seat belt law, should it pass. The dozens of deaths ... read more
• April 30, 2009 at 2:00 am

  Colorado Citizen says:

  Thor your post is very enlightening. The nanny state Colorado does not care about these concerns. All they care about is the 14 millions. If they really cared about saving lif... read more