Virginia senators today approved two bills that would place additional requirements on the use of safety belts in the commonwealth.
Currently, Virginia law requires only front-seat occupants of motor vehicles to wear safety belts.
Senate Bill 219, sponsored by Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, would require all motor vehicle passengers under the age of 19 to wear safety belts in the rear seats. The measure, which has two sponsors in the House of Delegates, passed by a vote of 39-1.
Senate Bill 229, sponsored by Sen. George L. Barker, D-Fairfax, would require all occupants of a motor vehicle to wear safety belts, regardless of age. The measure passed by a vote of 30-10.
Both bills make failure to wear a safety belt a secondary offense --meaning that tickets could only be issued if the vehicle were pulled over for another reason. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration.
Senators also approved legislation that would the use of a cell phone by a teenager driving under a provisional license a primary offense; it is currently a secondary offense. Senate Bill 230, also sponsored by Barker, passed by a vote of 33-6 and now heads to the House.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement