Article: TIGHTER SEAT BELT LAW OK'D BY SENATE

Police officers would be permitted to pull over drivers for not wearing seat belts under a controversial bill approved by the Senate yesterday.

After weeks of delay and wrangling as some lawmakers attempted to kill the proposal, the Senate passed the so-called primary seat belt law by a surprisingly wide margin, 24-15. It still must clear the House, where opponents may try once more to block its passage. In January, the House approved the same measure by only three votes.

Governor Mitt Romney has said he would sign the bill. It would make failure to wear a seat belt a "primary offense" and allow police to stop drivers for a seat belt infraction, even if they aren't breaking any other laws. ...

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