Ill. May Order Backseat Passengers To Buckle Up

citizen |

by Zachery Colman Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois vehicle passengers whether in the back or front seats may soon have to strap in under legislation requiring everyone to wear seatbelts, regardless of age.

Legislation tightening the state's seat belt law has been approved by the Illinois House. It now goes to the Senate, where President John Cullerton has often backed traffic-safety measures.

Currently, safety belts are required for backseat passengers only if they're 19 or younger. The House bill that passed 61-55 on Thursday would require belts for everyone with a few exceptions, such as passengers in cabs.

Supporters call it common-sense safety legislation. Opponents say there's little evidence of a serious problem with backseat passengers being killed or injured because they weren't using seat belts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 1,095 backseat passengers not wearing seatbelts died in 2009.

In Illinois, 38 backseat passengers not wearing seatbelts died in 2009, representing a steady decline in those fatalities since 2005.

Passengers caught without a seatbelt would receive a $25 fine. Some people are exempt from the bill, including those with physical or psychological impairments that would be exacerbated by wearing a seatbelt.

Rep. Mark Beaubien, the bill's chief sponsor, said Friday he "can't fathom" why anyone would vote against the bill.

"I'd like to have them go to the funerals and attend the people who are injured for the rest of their lives on a monthly basis," the Barrington Hills Republican said. "That may change their mind."

But the close vote it received one more vote than the minimum for passage revealed there were many legislators wary of the bill.

Rep. Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, voted against the bill because he thought it was government intrusion into a personal choice. He said he has not seen data suggesting a link between not wearing seat belts in the backseat and fatalities means there is insufficient reason to change the status quo.

"I'm not in favor of dictating what the public should do. It's a choice," Beiser said. "As an adult, if you choose to not wear a seatbelt or put your child in harm's way, then you're making that decision."

Beaubien said, however, that driving is a privilege and not a right. He said the government has jurisdiction over privileges.

"There's a certain mentality down here on both sides of the aisle that we don't want government telling anyone what to do on anything, which is pretty much not doing our job," Beaubien said.

Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.