Senate passes seat belt law

Georgia could require pickup truck drivers to wear seat belts if a bill that passed the Senate on Thursday becomes law.

For years, agricultural interests have opposed the idea, saying it is an unnecessary regulation that could hinder farmers.

Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton) is the bill’s sponsor and a doctor.

“I’ve seen numerous deaths and severe injuries that could have been prevented if they had a seat belt,” Thomas said. “The first vehicle a lot of teenage boys get is a pickup truck.”

Thomas included an exception for trucks used “in connection with agricultural pursuits.” The bill applies to pickup trucks, vans and SUVs designed to carry 10 passengers or less.

The measure passed Thursday by a vote of 49-4. It passed in the Senate two years ago, too, but died in the House.

The bill traditionally has fared poorly in the House, where rural lawmakers kept it bottled up.

House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) said, “I don’t know, we’ll see,” when asked if the House would consider the proposal.

Bob Dallas, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, supports the bill and estimates it would prevent 105 deaths per year in Georgia.

The state also could receive up to $4.6 million from the federal government if it passes the seat belt law.

“In this crunch time, $4 to $5 million means a lot,” Thomas said.

Gov. Sonny Perdue’s spokesman said the governor “thinks it’s appropriate to look at,” but he has not made up his mind.

A similar measure has been introduced in the House and referred to committee.

Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) asked Thomas during the Senate debate if he would get a ticket if he drove to the Legislature, didn’t wear a seat belt and had a bale of hay in the back of his truck. Thomas said he wouldn’t because it was agricultural use and that he’d even pay the ticket if Pearson got one.

Thomas said the concerns of farmers were overblown. “The farmers are not going to be bothered by this,” he said.