• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / News / Seat belt proposal raises concerns

Seat belt proposal raises concerns

February 24, 2009 By WRN Contributor

A proposal to allow police to pull over drivers just for not wearing a seatbelt is facing opposition at the Capitol.

The proposed state budget includes a provision that allows primary enforcement for seat belt violations. State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee) says it's too difficult to tell if a driver is wearing a seat belt or not, and thinks the proposal would just create problems.

Supporters of primary enforcement say it would allow the state to capture up to $18 million in federal grant money. Erpenbach says such incentives make adopting the law appealing, but he still doubts the provision will survive budget negotiations.

Erpenbach is also concerned that allowing police to pull drivers over for simply not wearing a seatbelt could be used as an excuse for racial profiling.

The Waunakee Democrat says police already have plenty of reasons to pull over a driver, and most of them easier to prove than a seat belt violation. Drivers can currently be ticketed for not wearing a seat belt if an officer pulls them over for another reason.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :57)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News



Featured Stories

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Bucks drop second straight, fall at home to Lakers

Hockey Badgers grab series opener at Penn State

Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson named WCHA 1970’s Player of the Decade

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

TwitterFacebook

Listen Now | More from Titletown ยป

Sports Headlines

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Bucks drop second straight, fall at home to Lakers

Hockey Badgers grab series opener at Penn State

Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson named WCHA 1970’s Player of the Decade

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC