ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997 TAG: 9703260039
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
Gov. Allen agrees: A stronger seat-belt law is needed in Virginia. It's one all of us, and especially kids, can live with.
VIRGINIA'S children are closer to having the protection they deserve when riding in cars and other motor vehicles.
Gov. George Allen has approved in principle a measure to strengthen the state's seat-belt laws. Among other things, the bill will close a dangerous gap that now allows children over the age of 4 to ride unbuckled in the back seat.
How many times have each of us seen small children bouncing and jumping around like kittens in back seats - at great risk of injury or death should there be a collision, or a screeching halt to avoid a collision? And with recent research indicating that young children should sit only in the back seat, especially in cars equipped with passenger-side air bags, a back-seat buckle-up requirement is more important than ever.
The bill, returned by Allen to the legislature with one suggested amendment, will also end the foolish principle that enforcement of seat-belt laws should be of only secondary importance in safety. Now, a police officer can cite a driver for violating seat-belt requirements only if there's been another infraction, such as driving a car with a broken tail light.
Allen's proposed amendment does not weaken the bill, which is supported by a broad coalition of safety and health organizations. Without further ado, the General Assembly - reconvening briefly April 2 - should give it the final OK, and put it to work for the sake of Virginia's kids.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB