Seat belt bill passes heading to governor’s desk

Police officers in West Virginia soon won’t need another reason to pull over a driver who isn’t wearing a seat belt. The legislature has given final approval to a bill that would make not buckling up a primary traffic offense.

Seat belts have been mandatory in the state for years but have only been a secondary traffic offense. The citation can only come if an officer pulled over the driver for something else first.

State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, told senators before Wednesday’s vote West Virginia would join 32 other states that have the primary offense law.

Those found to be in violation will be charged with a $25 fine. There would be no court costs and no fees on top of the fine.

The bill, which passed the Senate Wed. 24-10, is now on its way to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.