STRONGER SEAT BELT LAW SHOULDN'T CUT OTHER SAFETY MEASURES

The legislative effort to tighten Missouri's seat belt law took a series of turns recently before the House rejected the a plan that would have expanded seat belt requirements on the one hand, while eliminating some current safeguards on the other hand.

The bill originally was intended to require seat belts to be worn by drivers and passengers in pickups as well as children age 4 to 16 in the rear seats of passenger automobiles. The measure also would have allowed police to stop motorists where seat belt violations are apparent. Currently, officers can only issue tickets for seat belt infractions if a vehicle is stopped for another violation.

But an addition to the bill would have removed the requirement for motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Thankfully, The House turned down the proposed bill. Some representatives said they opposed the bill because of the change regarding motorcycle helmets. Others said they favored the bill, even with the helmet provision, because it would require more passengers to use seat belts. In addition, the bill would have prohibited riding in the back of a pickup in most circumstances.

Laws that require the use of seat belts and motorcycle helmets, along with another measure that requires annual inspections of automobiles, have long served the purpose of protecting motorists and their passengers. In addition, such laws take account of the cost of serious injuries that can result from failure to take certain safety precautions.

One legislator who voted against the stiffer seat belt law said there already is too much government intervention in our lives -- and any prudent person would use seat belts because they make good sense.

That's all well and good. It would be comforting to know that most Missouri motorists are prudent folks who use common sense about such safety devices as seat belts and car seats for children under the age of 4.

But the plain fact is that -- even with the existing laws -- many responsible adults don't comply with either common sense or the law.

It could be expected that undesirable objectives would be attached to a bill to promote wider use of seat belts. It is too bad that the baby has to be tossed out with the bath water, however. Another effort should be made to strengthen the seat belt law without diminishing the good safety practices that include wearing helmets when riding a motorcycle.