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
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