Coalition for Roadway Safety seeks to make changes to state seat-belt law

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Supporters of changes to the Missouri safety-belt law say modifying the way it is enforced would boost seat-belt use, save lives and prevent serious injuries.

Under current law, officers can only ticket those who aren't wearing their seat belt if the car is first stopped for another violation. A proposal by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety would like to see adopted in 2009 would allow officers to stop and ticket people for not wearing a seat belt.

The coalition believes 90 lives would be saved and more than 1,000 serious injuries prevented annually by the measure.

Between 2005 and 2007, 33 of 50 people killed in Butler County traffic accidents were not wearing their seat belt, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. This is more than twice the 12 out of 17 fatalities seen in the more populous Cape Girardeau County.

It is even higher than that in St. Louis County. While Butler County has seen nearly three unbelted occupant fatalities per 10,000 people annually in the last three years, St. Louis County has had nearly three deaths annually per 150,000 residents.

Rates in Wayne, Carter and Reynolds counties are slightly higher than Butler when compared by population, while Ripley County is slightly lower.

Whether or not the changes succeed, Deputy Coroner Jim Akers hopes wearing a seat belt is a step residents will take on their own. Akers sees first hand the consequences of failing to wear a seat belt, both for vehicle passengers and their families.

"Seat belts greatly increase the chances of survival and not only survival, but of reduced injuries," explained Akers, who was elected to become the coroner in January. "It is a smart choice. Nobody would think of just sitting an infant on the seat of a car. A football player wouldn't play the game without wearing his safety equipment. It is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your life."

One common excuse people use when not wearing their seat belt is that they are only traveling a short distance, Akers said.

"A lot of times they look at it as an inconvenience, but it is just as important to put seat belts on for short trips as for any trip," he cautioned. "It has been proven that most car wrecks occur within five miles of home."

Locally there are both those who support and those who oppose a stronger seat belt law.

For Poplar Bluff residents Bob Slack and Rosemary Doyle, there is no question this would be a positive change.

"I've worn a seat belt ever since they passed the law. People are crazy not to," said Slack.

Seat belts save lives, Doyle said, and anything to get more people to wear their seat belts would be good.

Opponents have said state government does not need a greater involvement in convincing residents to wear safety belts, which is a decision adults should reach on their own.