Story Published:
Feb 25, 2009 at 6:45 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 25, 2009 at 6:45 PM CDT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A bill that would make seat-belt violations a primary offense is headed to the governor's desk. The Arkansas House on Wednesday voted 60-31 in favor of the bill by Sen. Hank Wilkins IV, D-Pine Bluff.
Arkansas, like Missouri, now has a secondary seat-belt law, which means officers can issue citations for the violation only after stopping a vehicle for another reason. Currently, 26 states have primary seat belt laws, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Under the bill, violators would be subject to a $25 fine that wouldn't be reflected on their driver records. A spokesman for Gov. Mike Beebe has said the governor will sign the bill.
