By Ashley Speagle
Correspondent
ATLANTA -- After years of delay, a bill that would require pickup truck drivers to wear seat belts passed the Legislature on Tuesday and will go to the governor to sign into law.
"I am thankful we could all work together to ensure the passage of legislation that will prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries while saving money," said Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, who sponsored the bill. Dr. Thomas, a physician, is leaving the Legislature at the end of his term to tend to his medical practice.
Senate Bill 458 will require pickup drivers to join the rest of the state's motorists in wearing seat belts. Pickups used on farms and other agricultural jobs are exempt.
Rep. Kevin Levitas, D-Atlanta, said the new law would do for free what Georgia's Highway Safety Improvement Program spends more than $100 million per year to do -- save lives on highways.
Sen. Thomas said the bill also could save taxpayers $25 million in Medicaid costs over 10 years from expenses related to pickup accidents.
Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville, said the bill protects every insured Georgian.
"If you don't have a seat belt on and have no insurance ... I have to pay your hospital bill," she said.
Others noted passing the law could bring back federal highway funds that had been denied for lack of such a statute.
By the numbers* 30: States with primary seat belt laws, including Georgia, the only state in this group exempting pickup drivers* 19: States with secondary seat belt laws* 1: State with no seat belt laws for adults (New Hampshire)Source: Governors Highway Safety Association
The vote was 132-29. Some opponents said the bill would move Georgia toward becoming a "nanny state" and disputed claims that the law could bring any federal money.
"There is no federal money to come down if we pass this law," said Rep. Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, attempting to rally opposition. He also offered an amendment, which failed, to make seat belt laws secondary.
Georgia is among 30 states with primary seat belt laws, allowing officers to ticket violators simply for not wearing seat belts. Secondary laws, in 19 states, allow officers to ticket for seat belt offenses only after pulling someone over for another violation.
Sen. Thomas watched the House vote before returning to Senate applause on its passage. His colleague from Dalton, Rep. Roger Williams, voted for the bill.
"I support Senate Bill 458, not because he's my state senator, but it's the right thing to do," Rep. Williams said. "I don't care whether we get federal dollars or not; it's a good bill; it saves lives."
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: House adopts seat belt changes to include trucks
Article: House considers ending pickup seat belt exemption
Article: Truck seat belt law revived, OK'd in Georgia Senate