Oklahoma House Committee Approves Stricter Seat Belt Law

Legislation aimed at increasing road safety in Oklahoma was approved in the House Public Safety Committee.

House Bill 2583, by state Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, would require every person in a vehicle to wear a properly adjusted and fasted safety seat belt system. Current law only requires occupants of the front seats to wear seat belts.

“Seat belts are a well-established requirement for car safety, but for some reason back seat passengers have been overlooked in Oklahoma,” said McDaniel (D-Tulsa). “It is just as important to wear a seat belt in the back seat as in the front seat so it follows if that we are going to require front seat passengers to buckle up, than we should require back seat passengers to do the same.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, buckling up is the single most effective thing a passenger can do to protect themselves. States with seat belt laws consistently have a higher rate of seat belt use. In 2008, seat belts saved more than 13,000 lives nationwide.

House Bill 2583 now proceeds to the House floor for consideration.

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Oklahoma