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.
