South Dakota lawmakers rejected a bill to end mandatory seat belt use for adults during a contentious debate. The bill was voted down 10-2 by the House Transportation Committee after emotional testimony from crash survivors, medical workers, and insurance executives. Rep. Dylan Jordan, a crash survivor himself, argued that the government shouldn’t mandate seat belt use, emphasizing personal responsibility and freedom.
Advocate Gretchen Weible argued that crash statistics show seat belts don’t guarantee survival, with almost equal numbers of deaths among restrained and unrestrained occupants. Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, a nurse anesthetist, vividly described the injuries of crash victims she has treated, stressing the importance of seat belt use in preventing serious injuries.
The debate also highlighted the financial implications of changing the seat belt mandate. Highway Patrol Assistant Superintendent Robert Whisler warned that the change would cost South Dakota millions in federal highway dollars. Insurance representatives also cautioned that medical costs for unbelted crash victims are significantly higher, potentially leading to increased insurance rates for everyone.
South Dakota has required seat belt use since 1995, with about 91 percent of residents regularly buckling up. The law remains a secondary offense, meaning police can only ticket violators after stopping them for other infractions. The rejection of the bill reaffirms the state’s commitment to upholding seat belt laws for the safety of its residents.
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