Senator Pushes for Seat Belt Law Change

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Lincoln, Neb.
Posted: 9:08 AM Aug 18, 2008
Last Updated: 9:08 AM Aug 18, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com

19 comments

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A Nebraska state senator wants to change the state's seat belt law.

Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff wants to make the law a primary violation, which means a driver could be pulled over for not buckling up.

Under current law, a driver has to be pulled over for another violation before he or she can be cited.

Harms said changing the law is a good idea because it saves lives. He said that in January he'll probably introduce a bill to make the change.

Nebraska could get $7.4 million in federal highway funding if it were to upgrade its seat belt law by Sept. 30, 2009.

Romell Cooks of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that if Nebraska doesn't change its law by then, the money goes away.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Linda Location: Lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Buckle up and you WILL get over it. Good idea for a new law!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:04 AM
the job of the government is to protect the people as a whole, not the individual.

Posted by: Don on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I don't like the seatbelt law now and think it should go away. There was a crash on hwy 33 east of Crete last week that killed drivers of both cars and they both had seatbelts on. If we are adults we should have a choice whether to wear them or not. Just the same all the motorcyclist went the helmet law repelled so it is the same thing. The road money would be good but it shouldn't be given out if you have certain laws on the books.

Posted by: JODY Location: LINCOLN on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:15 PM
You know the only people who want this are the bossy people who want to control every detail of everyone else's life. People need to get a life, and let other people choose to live a different way than they do. This is just one more way that the government wants to control your life. Nebraska has a very low accident rate as it is, and people use the idea that it is in the good of all the people to force control laws down our throats. Soon the people in communist countries will have more freedom than people in America. P.S. I wear my seatbelt... but I don't want to have every movement of my life controlled by the government. It was a good book, but "1984" was a lousy way of life.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:29 PM
people still die when they buckle up. It is (should be) a personal choice to wear a seatbelt.

Posted by: ?? Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:31 PM
What is next? Mr. Harms, how about a law that everyone should wear a condom during sex. Sure, its smart to and can protect you from a lot of dangerous things, but its a PERSONAL CHOICE that you can make. You aren't going to stop auto injuries from this, just like that wouldn't stop std's and unplanned pregnancies. Like someone else said, stupidity shouldn't be a crime.

Posted by: Dan Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Ok, I guess if you don't want to wear a seatbelt it is a personal choice, but I'm all for this law because if you are in an accident and you aren't wearing a seatbelt, all you are is just a human rocket flying in your car or out your windshield face first into the pavement with a broken neck. It's pretty common sense if you ask me. I really don't see why anyone wouldn't wear it because it's so simple and doesn't hurt a thing.

Posted by: ken Location: lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:50 AM
All the seatbelt law will do is give the state more money.Why more laws to protect you from yourself.lets all walk and ride bikes, less collisions less obesity and i could have trans fat back in my bread.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:55 AM
BLM, I'M not hurting you with medical bills and Medicaid because I have insurance through my employer. I'm not saying good drivers don't get in accidents. I'm just saying that it should be my choice not to wear one because I'd be the one getting hurt. Plus, I got t-boned (not wearing a seatbelt) and didn't have a scratch on me, while the girl wearing her seatbelt got whiplash. Seatbelts will 9 times out of 10 help you in an accident, but not always. So, I choose not to wear one. Thank you.

Posted by: Diesel Location: Kearney on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:56 AM
The only people who whould get upset about this are the ones that are too stupid to wear seatbelts in the first place.

Posted by: K Location: GI on Aug 18, 2008 at 10:22 PM
It may be your choice, but people don't think about the 1st person on the site of an accident. It is usually a civilian just coming up on the accident and they don't want to have to see anybody after being ejected from a car. I was lucky when I stopped to help I didn't have to see anything like that. Also the EMT's although it is their job and they receive training, etc they don't want to have to see it either. Many are affected so while it may be a choice, don't think it affects just one person.

Posted by: Marty Location: Near South on Aug 18, 2008 at 06:55 PM
I spent 7 years in a salvage yard so yeah, I wear my seat belt but I am completely against it being a law to wear one. Stupidity shouldn't be a crime.

Posted by: CB Location: Lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 06:01 PM
I cant wait for this bill to become law. Ive been waiting for this to come for a long time.

Posted by: Tim Location: Lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 05:05 PM
This stupid law just goes to show us that COMMUNISM is still alive and well in the US.Aren't the jails overcrowded enough.People would rather sit out a fine in jail,than pay a stupid ticket like this.

Posted by: Julie Location: Lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 03:25 PM
It doesn't always matter if YOU are a safe driver. You need to think about other people on the road that may not be paying attention and hit you... not to mention deer that might run out in front of you. Furthermore, why don't you think about your family and friends when you choose not to buckle up? Not wearing a seatbelt is a personal choice, but it's also a selfish choice!! Wear your seatbelt and then if this becomes law, you won't have anything to worry about.

Posted by: BLM on Aug 18, 2008 at 03:03 PM
It hurts the rest of us Jeff, when you're in a coma with skyrocketing medical bills and Medicaid (all of us taxpayers) has to pay for you. It has nothing to do with how good of driver you think you are or how careful you think you are.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Its a personal choice. I'm not harming anyone else by not wearing it. Just like it doesn't harm anyone else if a smoker has a cigarette in his/her own vehicle. If someone in the vehicle WANTS to buckle up, they can. I'm not a smoker, but I don't wear a seatbelt...It shouldn't be a forced law, I think the law is just fine how it is. If you aren't being a safe driver and aren't buckled up, then you deserve a ticket for both. But if you are being safe, you do not deserve a ticket for it. Not wearing your seatbelt is a risk people should be allowed to take, since it hurts nobody else...and you Mr. Harms, need to shut your yap and leave this alone.

Posted by: john Location: lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 11:08 AM
It sounds like the government is holding us hostage: "Do what we tell you to and we'll give you money." The government is not a corporation, it can only disperse tax money: OUR money! Why do we let them hang it over our heads like this?

Posted by: Dave Location: Lincoln on Aug 18, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Mind your own business Mr. Harms!!!

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