Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 2, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. John Lovick, brings uniformity to the state’s safety belt enforcement laws by authorizing law enforcement to stop a vehicle and issue a traffic citation for failure to wear a safety belt.
The governor, accompanied by law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency response providers, signed the bill in a sunny afternoon ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.
State Rep. John Lovick, a Washington State Patrol sergeant and sponsor of the bill, participated in the ceremony. Former state Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison, state Traffic Safety Commission Director John Moffat, and the National Safety Council’s Transportation Safety Group Vice President Chuck Hurley, also joined the governor for the event.
“Today, we join 17 other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with primary laws in effect,” Locke said. “While Washington continues to maintain a seat belt use rate of over 80 percent, far above the national average of 73 percent, we still have plenty of room for improvement.”
The governor cited research indicating that primary enforcement of seat belt laws is the best way to save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, average seat belt use is 14 percent higher in states that have primary enforcement laws.
Just as importantly, Locke noted, enacting strong adult primary seat belt legislation also increases child restraint use, because drivers who buckle up are three times more likely to buckle up their child passengers.
Each year, the law is expected to save nearly 35 lives and prevent 900 serious injuries.
In addition to saving lives, the law will also save money.
“Collisions are also costly to society,” the governor said, noting a recent Harborview Medical Center study that indicated 1,865 unbuckled crash victims had to be hospitalized for their injuries in 1999 when a seat belt would have prevented their hospitalization. According to the preliminary findings of the study, unbuckled Washington motorists account for $51 million per year in preventable hospital costs.
“In addition to these cost savings, we anticipate that Washington will receive an estimated $1.5 million per biennium in federal traffic safety grants due to increased safety belt use,” Locke said.
Chuck Hurley presented Locke with a National Safety Council plaque honoring the state’s highway safety leadership.
“The difference between your historically good belt use and the excellence that I am confident you are about to achieve can be measured in fewer teenage fatalities,” Hurley said.
Prior to signing HB 1460, Locke thanked the bill’s sponsor for getting the bill passed.
“This law didn’t reach my desk on its own,” the governor said. “I would like to thank the bill’s prime sponsor, Representative John Lovick, who also is a state trooper, for his hard work in getting this bill passed.”
The governor also acknowledged John Moffat and the members and staff of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Washington State Patrol Chief Ronal Serpas, Sid Morrison, former transportation secretary and current member of the National Safety Council, and Chuck Hurley, with the National Safety Council in Washington, D.C.
Acting on HB 1460, Locke said, “It is my pleasure to sign into law HB 1460, life-saving legislation for Washington.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Legislature
- Bill Information
- Washington Traffic Safety Commission
- Washington State Patrol
- National Safety Council
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Rep. John Lovick (D-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 2, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Locke signs safety belt legislation that will save lives and tax dollars
OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today signed House Bill No. 1460, seat belt legislation that is expected to save lives, prevent injuries, cut emergency room costs and reduce insurance premiums.The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. John Lovick, brings uniformity to the state’s safety belt enforcement laws by authorizing law enforcement to stop a vehicle and issue a traffic citation for failure to wear a safety belt.
The governor, accompanied by law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency response providers, signed the bill in a sunny afternoon ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.
State Rep. John Lovick, a Washington State Patrol sergeant and sponsor of the bill, participated in the ceremony. Former state Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison, state Traffic Safety Commission Director John Moffat, and the National Safety Council’s Transportation Safety Group Vice President Chuck Hurley, also joined the governor for the event.
“Today, we join 17 other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with primary laws in effect,” Locke said. “While Washington continues to maintain a seat belt use rate of over 80 percent, far above the national average of 73 percent, we still have plenty of room for improvement.”
The governor cited research indicating that primary enforcement of seat belt laws is the best way to save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, average seat belt use is 14 percent higher in states that have primary enforcement laws.
Just as importantly, Locke noted, enacting strong adult primary seat belt legislation also increases child restraint use, because drivers who buckle up are three times more likely to buckle up their child passengers.
Each year, the law is expected to save nearly 35 lives and prevent 900 serious injuries.
In addition to saving lives, the law will also save money.
“Collisions are also costly to society,” the governor said, noting a recent Harborview Medical Center study that indicated 1,865 unbuckled crash victims had to be hospitalized for their injuries in 1999 when a seat belt would have prevented their hospitalization. According to the preliminary findings of the study, unbuckled Washington motorists account for $51 million per year in preventable hospital costs.
“In addition to these cost savings, we anticipate that Washington will receive an estimated $1.5 million per biennium in federal traffic safety grants due to increased safety belt use,” Locke said.
Chuck Hurley presented Locke with a National Safety Council plaque honoring the state’s highway safety leadership.
“The difference between your historically good belt use and the excellence that I am confident you are about to achieve can be measured in fewer teenage fatalities,” Hurley said.
Prior to signing HB 1460, Locke thanked the bill’s sponsor for getting the bill passed.
“This law didn’t reach my desk on its own,” the governor said. “I would like to thank the bill’s prime sponsor, Representative John Lovick, who also is a state trooper, for his hard work in getting this bill passed.”
The governor also acknowledged John Moffat and the members and staff of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Washington State Patrol Chief Ronal Serpas, Sid Morrison, former transportation secretary and current member of the National Safety Council, and Chuck Hurley, with the National Safety Council in Washington, D.C.
Acting on HB 1460, Locke said, “It is my pleasure to sign into law HB 1460, life-saving legislation for Washington.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Legislature
- Bill Information
- Washington Traffic Safety Commission
- Washington State Patrol
- National Safety Council
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Rep. John Lovick (D-44)
| » Return to this month's News Releases |
| » View News Release Archive |
Home
Governor Locke
- About the Governor
- Cabinet
- Senior Staff
- Executive Orders
- Proclamations
- Boards and Commissions
- Contact the Governor
The First Lady
News Room
About Washington
- Washington State Facts
- Photo Gallery
- The 50 State QuartersTM Program
- State Legislature
- Washington Courts
- US Census 2000
- Register to Vote
Contact Us
Search
