Wayne Godsey: enough with more seat belt laws
KMBC’s Wayne Godsey:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s director of transportation wants state lawmakers to enhance the seatbelt law. A Primary Seatbelt law would allow police to stop motorists for not wearing a seat belt. Current law allows citations only after motorists have been pulled over for other violations.
It’s too bad that this proposal is about money and not highway safety. Passage of the law would make the state eligible for $16 million in federal highway funds.
While more federal money might seem like a gift, it is instead, more federal blackmail. Just as with speed limits, if Missouri doesn’t conform with what federal officials want, it loses money.
Missouri’s current seatbelt law has worked. Last year, highway deaths in the state were the lowest in 25 years. instead of passing a new law that places another burden on law enforcement, state officials should insist that our representatives in Washington, D.C., demand an end to federal blackmail.
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Tags: nanny state, seat belts, wayne godsey
