Vermont Business Magazine Today, the House preliminarily approvedH.691, the Highway Safety Bill. Among other provisions, this bill authorizes primary enforcement of existing seat belt laws. The bill passed out of the Transportation Committee on a 10-0-1 vote.
“This bill is designed to make roads safer for the traveling public,” said Transportation Committee Chair, Representative Pat Brennan (R-Colchester). “Too many Vermonters suffer life-changing injuries and death on our roads, and over half the traffic fatalities in 2017 were victims who were not wearing seat belts. Among other provisions, this bill gives law enforcement the opportunity to enforce seat belt wearing as a primary traffic offense. Our job in the Transportation Committee is to keep the roads safe. We believe this is the right step for Vermont to take right now.”
“Too many Vermonters have lost their lives in traffic accidents where they were not wearing their seatbelts,” added House Speaker Mitzi Johnson. “As a former EMT, I have seen first-hand the severity of the injuries sustained from accidents without a seatbelt and the increased risk of death. This bill really hits home to me and this bipartisan legislation passed the House several times. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and with the Governor to see this become a reality for Vermont.”
Source: Speaker 1.25.2018