Safety advocates have long pushed for New Jersey to tighten its seat belt law by extending the requirement to everyone who rides in a vehicle. And although Gov. Jon Corzine — who was almost killed in a crash in which he wasn’t buckled up — is expected to soon sign legislation that would meet advocates’ goal, some of them wish the measure had not been revised before being overwhelmingly passed in the Assembly and Senate this month. State law now mandates that anyone riding in a vehicle use seat belts — except adults riding in rear seats. The measure now at Corzine’s desk would remove that exemption, but it would only be a secondary offense, meaning police would need another reason to stop the vehicle to issue violators a ticket.
The initial version passed by the Assembly last February made the violation a primary offense, the same rule that applies to front seat passengers. That proposal had the backing of the state Division of Highway Safety, AAA Mid-Atlantic and other groups, and would have taken effect immediately.
However, the version the Senate approved Jan. 11 made it a secondary offense, and senators also approved plans to provide a grace period that would delay the law’s implementation one year. That amended version was also passed the same day by the Assembly.
David Weinstein, a AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman, said the agency was glad that some of what advocates were seeking is poised to become law.
“We recognize that traffic safety laws are often improved incrementally,” Weinstein said. “With that in mind, we support the amended bill, commend the legislature for its actions and urge the governor to sign it into law.”
Proponents in the legislature voiced similar views, saying the measure will help save lives. They said the need for the legislation is underscored by empirical evidence gathered from automobile accidents.
New Jersey Safety Council crash data show unbelted rear-seat passengers can act as high-velocity projectiles during an accident, impacting other passengers with enough force to kill or seriously injure them. And a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showed the use of seat belts by back seat passengers can reduce the chance of death and serious injury in accidents up to 75 percent.
“Buckling up — for a trip around the corner or a trip around the state — is a habit that drivers and passengers alike need to adopt,” said Matthew W. Milam, D-Cape May Court House, who was the bill’s primary sponsor in the Assembly along with fellow Democrats Pamela R. Lampitt of Cherry Hill and Nelson Albano of Cape May Court House.
Primary sponsors in the Senate were Brian Stack, D-Union City, and Robert Singer, R-Lakewood.
Corzine has said he would likely sign the bill before leaving office on Tuesday, but a final decision has not been made, spokesman Chris Donnelly said.
The matter is close to the governor’s heart: He was not wearing a seat belt while riding in a state police-driven SUV that crashed on the Garden State Parkway in April 2007. He sustained 15 broken bones and spent nearly three weeks in a hospital, much of it in critical condition and on a ventilator. Star Ledger.