By Ashley Speagle
Correspondent
ATLANTA -- Georgia may join other states in requiring seat belts for all drivers after years of excluding pickup truck drivers from the law.
"There are 2.1 million pickup trucks on Georgia highways," said Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, sponsor of Senate Bill 458.
The bill requires all drivers to buckle up on roads, including drivers of pickup trucks. It excludes off-road and farming vehicles.
PDF: Senate Bill 458
Sen. Thomas has sponsored the same bill for several years. It passed the Senate last year but was held up in the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.
"You've seen this bill before, and I certainly hope this is the last time you have to hear it," said Sen. Thomas.
Senators approved it 45-2 and Sen. Thomas said he believes House lawmakers will pass it this time.
"With new leadership in the House, I am confident this bill will end up on the governor's desk," he said in a news release.
Sen. Thomas argued for years for Georgia to change its seat belt laws, saying it would save lives and money. Georgia will save $25 million in Medicaid costs over 10 years and will be eligible for more federal funds with the seat belt law in place, according to Sen. Thomas.
He also said at least 11 health, car insurance and court organizations support the bill, as well as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
INFO* 76,034: Pickup truck crashes in Georgia in 2008* 14,289: People injured in 2008 pickup truck crashes* 249: People killed in 2008 pickup truck crashes* 18: Percentage of all motor vehicle fatalities involving pickup trucks* 44: Percentage of all pickup truck fatalities occurring on rural roadsSource: Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System.
Sen. Bill Jackson, R-Appling, said he opposed the bill in prior years but admitted a change of heart.
"Years ago, when I served in the House, I first saw the seat belt law and I didn't vote for it because I believed I had the right to go through that windshield if I wanted to," said Sen. Jackson.
The impact on those around him, including the cost to the state, made him change his vote, he said, and he commended Sen. Thomas for continuing to push the bill.
"A lesser man would have not given this the diligence," said Sen. Jackson. "There ought not to be a single vote that is negative to this out of respect to this man and the people of Georgia."
Ashley Speagle covers the Georgia Legislature. Contact her at speagle.ashley@gmail.com