Sen. Bob Krist—who is running for governor as an independent—is backing LB 671 which would allow police to stop drivers for not wearing a seat belt or for texting while driving—no other violation needed.
Sen. Roy Baker’s LB 711 says drivers and all passengers—not just those in the front as is now the case— must be buckled-up.
Joan Claybrook, former head of the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, is critical of 17 states with safety profiles similar to Nebraska. “It is time for every governor and every state lawmaker to reexamine legislative priorities, “says Claybrook.
But on at least two fronts, mandatory seat belts and tougher texting while driving laws, Governor Pete Ricketts has opposed tightening Nebraska’s statutes. According to the governor’s spokesperson, my interview with the governor from three years ago still stands:
2015 Interview
Joe Jordan: Police can’t pull them over if they’re not wearing a seat belt. It is not what they call a primary offense. Should that change? Should seat belts be more mandatory in Nebraska?
Governor Ricketts: I think the law we have right now on the books is appropriate.
Recent surveys indicate that over 80 percent of Nebraskans buckle up while at the same time nearly seven out of 10 drivers or passengers killed in crashes (68 percent in 2016, 73 percent from January- November of 2017) were not wearing seat belts. The state’s 2016 traffic report notes: ”Reaching the remaining 20 percent of Nebraskans who avoid restraint use is a difficult problem.” Once again, the governor from three years ago: 2015 Interview:Gov. Ricketts: I think the secondary offense is a way we can make sure that we’re sending the right message that people should wear their seat belts but also balancing off that individual liberty and that if you are violating another law this will be something that gets added on top.
Joe Jordan: You say that despite the fact that the statistics indicate that when there are car wrecks—serious car wrecks— people not wearing seat belts are more likely to die than others.
Governor Ricketts: Well I certainly encourage everybody to wear a seat belt. When I’m in my car I wear my seat belt. What we’re trying is to balance off again people making their own decisions with public safety. I think the law we have right now finds that balance.
And the governor’s spokesperson tells News Channel Nebraska, Mr. Ricketts has the same no-change policy when it comes to texting and driving. Meanwhile, just yesterday, Sen. John Murante—who is running for state treasurer—introduced legislation potentially increasing speed limits on several highways and the interstate, including Omaha to Lincoln, which would jump from 75-80 mph. Gov. Ricketts—who is running for reelection—backs the higher speeds.
