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Georgia May Require Seat Belt Use In Trucks

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The Associated Press

Published: January 29, 2008

ATLANTA - The way some Georgians see it, if they're going to get thrown through the windshield of a pickup, that's nobody's business but their own.

That kind of thinking helps explain why Georgia is the only state that specifically exempts adults in pickups from having to wear seat belts.

The fight over seat belts is waged just about every year in the Georgia Legislature. But there's hope that this year could be different. No fewer than three House bills to require seat belts in pickups are pending, and the Senate has adopted its own measure.

"This is the year it should pass," said Sen. Don Thomas, a physician from the carpet-mill town of Dalton who sponsored one of the bills. "It's embarrassing. Instead of making our state look tough, it makes us look foolish."

There's little doubt that the laws could prevent many deaths and hundreds of injuries each year. They could also save millions in medical costs, and help the state secure more federal highway money.

There are no known lobbyists lined up against the effort. And insurance companies, safety groups and auto associations lined up in favor of such legislation. But attempts to pass tougher seat belt laws here have been blocked for years by lawmakers - particularly those from rural areas - who argue that wearing seat belts is a matter of personal freedom.

"I'm a free-spirited guy. I believe that people should wear their seat belts. I just don't believe the government should tell you to," said Sen. Jeff Mullis, a Republican from the small town of Chickamauga. "That's how I usually vote on these issues - anti-Big Brother."

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