The Garden City Telegram

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Easy savings

Published 3/11/2010 in Commentary : Editorial

Move would save lives and money.

If the potential to save lives wasn't reason enough, perhaps the temptation of millions of dollars will grab the attention of more Kansas lawmakers.

At a time the state faces a budget shortfall of more than $400 million, lawmakers are looking at several ways to put new income in state coffers. And one easy source of desperately needed funds continues to dangle in front of them.

Should the state of Kansas choose to enact a primary seat-belt law, it would be in line to receive an additional $11.2 million from the federal transportation system.

Kansas is among 19 states that require drivers to wear seat belts but don't allow law enforcement officers to pull over a vehicle for such an offense. Motorists must be stopped for another reason before being ticketed for not wearing their seat belt.

A primary seat-belt law would encourage more people to buckle up to avoid being stopped, which also would lead to significant savings in emergency services, medical care and long-term economic losses — an estimated $70 million a year, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Health officials believe a primary seat-belt law in Kansas would prevent an estimated 25 traffic fatalities and 262 serious injuries each year.

While enacting the policy because it would save lives remains the best selling point, the federal funding and savings to the state also are important considerations.

But many lawmakers continue to resist the change, even as seat-belt use increased and traffic-related fatalities dropped in states that enacted primary seat-belt laws.

Opponents of the move argue that it would mean yet another unwelcome intrusion into people's daily lives.

But current law in Kansas already requires motorists to wear seat belts. Enacting a primary seat-belt law only would give law enforcement officers the ability to stop those they observe breaking that law, something they can't do now.

Common sense should have dictated enthusiastic support of a tougher law years ago. With a financial benefit to go along with the life-saving potential, the need to enact a primary seat-belt law should at long last hit home with Kansas lawmakers.

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