It’s finally done. After several attempts to do so, Georgia lawmakers passed legislation that requires pickup truck drivers to wear seat belts. The bill, approved as the current legislative session came to a close last week, now moves to the desk of Gov. Sonny Perdue who has indicated that he will sign it into law. He should do so promptly. The measure will save lives.
Despite arguments to the contrary from some legislators, there is ample evidence that requiring drivers of pickup trucks to wear seat belts will serve that purpose. The National Highway Safety Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation both believe the change in law likely will save about two dozen lives a year, prevent hundreds of injuries a year and save at least $30 million in hospital costs yearly. Passage could also bring additional federal highway funds to the state.
The delay in approving the law was unconscionable as it was inexplicable. There was no formal opposition to it. No lobbyists worked against it, and insurance companies and auto associations supported it. Still, there was political opposition.
Some opponents said they agreed with the safety component of the bill, but thought enacting a statute to make it law was an unnecessary intrusion of government into the lives of ordinary Georgians. Others said it was just another incidence of “big government.” Nonsense.
The state already requires minors to wear seat belts in all vehicles and adults to buckle up in all vehicles except pickup trucks. Extending the law to cover adults in pickup trucks — there is an exemption for pickups used on farms and in other agricultural jobs — does no harm. It simply expands current protections to a vulnerable population.