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AAA Michigan Lauds Senate for Approving Seat Belt Law

17 March 1999

AAA Michigan Lauds Senate for Approving Seat Belt Law

    DEARBORN, Mich., March 17 -- State Senate passage of the
proposed law to make wearing safety belts mandatory was lauded today by the
state's largest auto club, AAA Michigan.
    "We commend the state senators who passed standard enforcement of the
safety belt usage law with 21 votes today," stated Jerry Basch, AAA Michigan
Community Safety Services manager.
    "AAA Michigan stands strongly behind the bill and hopes the House of
Representatives will give it quick consideration and pass it on to the
governor for his signature," Basch stated.
    The proposed law would allow police to stop motorists who are not wearing
their safety belts.  Currently, Michigan law only allows police to ticket
someone for not wearing seat belts only if the person is stopped on another
traffic violation.
    "Passage of a primary enforcement law should increase belt usage from the
current estimated 71 percent, to 81 percent, save 100 lives a year, prevent
3,000 serious injuries and save motorists as much as $170 million in insurance
costs," Basch said.
    He cited California's experience with a mandatory belt law as an example.
    "In California when seat belt use became mandatory in January 1993,
statewide driver belt use increased from 70 percent to 83 percent by the end
of the year, and to an estimated 87 percent by 1996," he said.  "Passing a
mandatory belt usage law in Michigan will save lives."