W.Va. Seat Belt Bill Set for House Vote Thursday

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's House of Delegates is back on track to vote on whether to allow traffic stops for failure to wear a seat belt.

Legislation making that violation a primary offense has idled since the House Judiciary Committee endorsed it March 12.

The bill had advanced on a narrow 13-11 vote. Opponents argue seat belt use is a matter of personal responsibility. Supporters estimate it would boost seat belt use by up to 7 percent.

The House Rules Committee returned the bill to the active schedule on Monday. It's up for a vote on passage Thursday.

West Virginia is among 16 states that treat failure to wear a seat belt as a secondary offense. That means drivers can be cited only when they're pulled over for some other violation.