Monday, November 1, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
House passes Sen. Thomas’ Seat Belt Legislation
House passes Sen. Thomas’ Seat Belt Legislation
ATLANTA (April 27, 2010) – The House of Representatives voted to save Georgians’ lives today by passing Senate Bill 458, Sen. Thomas’ (R-Dalton) seat belt legislation, which closes the pick-up truck loophole in current seat belt laws. The bill passed with a vote of 132-29.
“This legislation is a long overdue, life-saving step for all Georgians,” said Thomas. “I am thankful we could all work together to ensure the passage of legislation that will prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries while saving money.”
In Georgia alone, over 67 percent of pick-up truck related deaths came from those not wearing a seat belt. Closing the pickup truck loophole will save Georgians $25 million in Medicaid costs over a 10-year period. Additionally, Georgia will become eligible for federal incentive grants from the Traffic Safety Institute once this legislation is passed.
Current law requires each occupant of the front seat of a car, van, or SUV to be restrained by a seatbelt. This legislation redefines the term “passenger vehicle,” requiring all passengers in the front seat of a pickup truck are restrained by a seatbelt. The bill exempts off-road and pick-up trucks involved in agricultural operations.
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-6436 or by e-mail at don.thomas@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 27, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
ATLANTA (April 27, 2010) – The House of Representatives voted to save Georgians’ lives today by passing Senate Bill 458, Sen. Thomas’ (R-Dalton) seat belt legislation, which closes the pick-up truck loophole in current seat belt laws. The bill passed with a vote of 132-29.
“This legislation is a long overdue, life-saving step for all Georgians,” said Thomas. “I am thankful we could all work together to ensure the passage of legislation that will prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries while saving money.”
In Georgia alone, over 67 percent of pick-up truck related deaths came from those not wearing a seat belt. Closing the pickup truck loophole will save Georgians $25 million in Medicaid costs over a 10-year period. Additionally, Georgia will become eligible for federal incentive grants from the Traffic Safety Institute once this legislation is passed.
Current law requires each occupant of the front seat of a car, van, or SUV to be restrained by a seatbelt. This legislation redefines the term “passenger vehicle,” requiring all passengers in the front seat of a pickup truck are restrained by a seatbelt. The bill exempts off-road and pick-up trucks involved in agricultural operations.
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-6436 or by e-mail at don.thomas@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 27, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
Georgia House of Representatives passes SB 458,requiring seat belts in pickup trucks!!!!
Ga. votes to require adults to buckle up in pickups, ending years of holdout on issue
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press Writer
2:45 PM PDT, April 27, 2010
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia is poised to join the rest of the nation in requiring adults in pickup trucks to wear seat belts, ending years of frustration by public safety advocates who had long sought to change the state law.
The Georgia House on Tuesday passed a measure that would end Georgia's distinction as the last state in the nation to specifically exempt adults in pickups from buckling up.
The measure's supporters came armed each year with frightening statistics about the number of lives that could be saved, accidents avoided and medical costs saved if Georgia tweaked the law. But each time the effort was stymied in the state House by rural lawmakers who see the rule as an unnecessary regulation.
That changed Tuesday when the measure sailed through the House by a 132-29 vote. Supporters also beat back an amendment that would have made the new rule harder to enforce.
"This is a common sense measure whose time has come," said Mickey Channell, a Greensboro Republican. "It will save lives. It will save money. And it does not cost us a dime."
The Senate has already passed the measure and it now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has indicated he would sign the legislation.
Georgia already requires minors to wear seat belts and adults to wear them in all vehicles except pickups. Indiana once took a similar position as Georgia, but the state in 2007 passed the adult seat belt law for pickups. New Hampshire has no seat belt requirement for all adults.
On the Net:
Senate Bill 458:
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press Writer
2:45 PM PDT, April 27, 2010
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia is poised to join the rest of the nation in requiring adults in pickup trucks to wear seat belts, ending years of frustration by public safety advocates who had long sought to change the state law.
The Georgia House on Tuesday passed a measure that would end Georgia's distinction as the last state in the nation to specifically exempt adults in pickups from buckling up.
The measure's supporters came armed each year with frightening statistics about the number of lives that could be saved, accidents avoided and medical costs saved if Georgia tweaked the law. But each time the effort was stymied in the state House by rural lawmakers who see the rule as an unnecessary regulation.
That changed Tuesday when the measure sailed through the House by a 132-29 vote. Supporters also beat back an amendment that would have made the new rule harder to enforce.
"This is a common sense measure whose time has come," said Mickey Channell, a Greensboro Republican. "It will save lives. It will save money. And it does not cost us a dime."
The Senate has already passed the measure and it now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has indicated he would sign the legislation.
Georgia already requires minors to wear seat belts and adults to wear them in all vehicles except pickups. Indiana once took a similar position as Georgia, but the state in 2007 passed the adult seat belt law for pickups. New Hampshire has no seat belt requirement for all adults.
On the Net:
Senate Bill 458:
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
SB 458 passes
Senate passes Seat Belt Legislation
ATLANTA (March 24, 2010) – The Senate voted to save Georgians’ lives today by passing Senate Bill 458, Sen. Thomas’ (R-Dalton) seat belt legislation, which closes the pick-up truck loophole in current seat belt laws. SB 458 passed with a vote of 45-2.
“This is an exciting day in the Senate,” said Thomas. “We have once again voted to save lives and money by passing this legislation. With new leadership in the House, I am confident this bill will end up on the governor’s desk.”
In Georgia alone, over 67 percent of pick-up truck related deaths came from those not wearing a seat belt. Closing the pickup truck loophole will save Georgians $25 million in Medicaid costs over a 10-year period. Additionally, Georgia will become eligible for federal incentive grants from the Traffic Safety Institute once this legislation is passed.
Current law requires each occupant of the front seat of a car, van, or SUV to be restrained by a seatbelt. This legislation redefines the term “passenger vehicle,” requiring all passengers in the front seat of a pickup truck are restrained by a seatbelt. The bill exempts off-road and pick-up trucks involved in agricultural operations.
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/pressreleases.htm
http://bit.ly/99F6fa
ATLANTA (March 24, 2010) – The Senate voted to save Georgians’ lives today by passing Senate Bill 458, Sen. Thomas’ (R-Dalton) seat belt legislation, which closes the pick-up truck loophole in current seat belt laws. SB 458 passed with a vote of 45-2.
“This is an exciting day in the Senate,” said Thomas. “We have once again voted to save lives and money by passing this legislation. With new leadership in the House, I am confident this bill will end up on the governor’s desk.”
In Georgia alone, over 67 percent of pick-up truck related deaths came from those not wearing a seat belt. Closing the pickup truck loophole will save Georgians $25 million in Medicaid costs over a 10-year period. Additionally, Georgia will become eligible for federal incentive grants from the Traffic Safety Institute once this legislation is passed.
Current law requires each occupant of the front seat of a car, van, or SUV to be restrained by a seatbelt. This legislation redefines the term “passenger vehicle,” requiring all passengers in the front seat of a pickup truck are restrained by a seatbelt. The bill exempts off-road and pick-up trucks involved in agricultural operations.
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/pressreleases.htm
http://bit.ly/99F6fa
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Reid's mothers belief about helping teenagers The Metter Advertiser
It's something I'm obligated to do...11/17/2009
by Jerri Goodman The results were disheartening: In a recent observational survey, only 10 percent of Metter High School student drivers were observed wearing seat belts as they arrived at school. The statistic, Leigh Webb said, is “pitiful.” Webb, a former school nurse at Metter Elementary School, is now pursuing her masters in nursing, emphasizing in community health. As part of her course of study, she has signed on with the “Georgia Is Buckle-Up Country” seat belt awareness campaign. “My focus is on teens and seat belts,” said Webb. And no one understands the importance of saving the lives of teen drivers more than Webb. Her son, Reid, was killed in a car crash in 2006 at the age of 17. “This is something I’m obligated to do as Reid’s mother,” she said of her involvement with the campaign. Her goal, she said, is to make parents aware of what safety precautions their children take when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Currently, Webb and Katie Burkett of the Georgia Office of Highway Safety Injury Prevention Program are conducting observational services each month at Metter High School and will be conducting the surveys at ECI as well. “The surveys are not easy,” Webb said, “and we want consistency in developing our numbers.” Webb said the importance of the surveys, which require actual observation of students as they arrive at school, is to open dialogue between parents and children about seat belt use. One area that needs special attention, Webb said, is teen males driving pick-ups. “Pick-ups have the lowest seat belt use, especially among males,” Webb reported, adding that Georgia is the only state that does not have a law making it mandatory for seat belt use in pick-ups for adults. All drivers and passengers 18 and younger are supposed to be buckled up, but in Georgia, an adult driving a pick-up does not have to use a seat belt. “I’m pushing for that law to be changed,” Webb said. “When you have a child watching an adult drive without a seat belt, you’ve increased the chances of that child driving without one.” Webb has talked with legislators at the Capitol to have the state law changed, but regardless of the outcome of that legislation, she said, her main emphasis is still seat belt use in every vehicle, every time. To learn more about the “Georgia Is Buckle Up-Country” seat belt campaign or ways to help your young driver be safer on the highway, visit the Georgia Office of Highway Safety web site, www.gahighwaysafety.org. The Metter Advertiser will post results for subsequent surveys at MHS as they become available.
The Metter Advertiser
by Jerri Goodman The results were disheartening: In a recent observational survey, only 10 percent of Metter High School student drivers were observed wearing seat belts as they arrived at school. The statistic, Leigh Webb said, is “pitiful.” Webb, a former school nurse at Metter Elementary School, is now pursuing her masters in nursing, emphasizing in community health. As part of her course of study, she has signed on with the “Georgia Is Buckle-Up Country” seat belt awareness campaign. “My focus is on teens and seat belts,” said Webb. And no one understands the importance of saving the lives of teen drivers more than Webb. Her son, Reid, was killed in a car crash in 2006 at the age of 17. “This is something I’m obligated to do as Reid’s mother,” she said of her involvement with the campaign. Her goal, she said, is to make parents aware of what safety precautions their children take when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Currently, Webb and Katie Burkett of the Georgia Office of Highway Safety Injury Prevention Program are conducting observational services each month at Metter High School and will be conducting the surveys at ECI as well. “The surveys are not easy,” Webb said, “and we want consistency in developing our numbers.” Webb said the importance of the surveys, which require actual observation of students as they arrive at school, is to open dialogue between parents and children about seat belt use. One area that needs special attention, Webb said, is teen males driving pick-ups. “Pick-ups have the lowest seat belt use, especially among males,” Webb reported, adding that Georgia is the only state that does not have a law making it mandatory for seat belt use in pick-ups for adults. All drivers and passengers 18 and younger are supposed to be buckled up, but in Georgia, an adult driving a pick-up does not have to use a seat belt. “I’m pushing for that law to be changed,” Webb said. “When you have a child watching an adult drive without a seat belt, you’ve increased the chances of that child driving without one.” Webb has talked with legislators at the Capitol to have the state law changed, but regardless of the outcome of that legislation, she said, her main emphasis is still seat belt use in every vehicle, every time. To learn more about the “Georgia Is Buckle Up-Country” seat belt campaign or ways to help your young driver be safer on the highway, visit the Georgia Office of Highway Safety web site, www.gahighwaysafety.org. The Metter Advertiser will post results for subsequent surveys at MHS as they become available.
The Metter Advertiser
Road Rules For Reid | Make Good Choices
What can others do to help teenagers in Georgia?
Georgia is the only state in the U.S., to not have a law mandating seat belts for pickup trucks.
THIS YEAR, Finally Pass the law requiring seat belts for pickup trucks!
• Forty-one percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were Rural or Small-town residents traveling on rural roads.
• Many male teen drivers, especially those that live in rural areas, drive pickup trucks. They may have grown up watching their mother wearing a seatbelt in the car since that is required by law but many males (fathers) in rural areas drive pickup trucks and therefore, are not required to buckle up. Who do you think the son is going to mimic?
• Let’s change this so that we are not the only state in the nation that does not require it.
Talk to your representatives about SB 86 and ask that they support it this year!
Road Rules For Reid Make Good Choices
Georgia is the only state in the U.S., to not have a law mandating seat belts for pickup trucks.
THIS YEAR, Finally Pass the law requiring seat belts for pickup trucks!
• Forty-one percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were Rural or Small-town residents traveling on rural roads.
• Many male teen drivers, especially those that live in rural areas, drive pickup trucks. They may have grown up watching their mother wearing a seatbelt in the car since that is required by law but many males (fathers) in rural areas drive pickup trucks and therefore, are not required to buckle up. Who do you think the son is going to mimic?
• Let’s change this so that we are not the only state in the nation that does not require it.
Talk to your representatives about SB 86 and ask that they support it this year!
Road Rules For Reid Make Good Choices
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