Current Issues

Primary Seat Belt Law

BIA-MA is currently working with legislators and other groups to pass a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts. Known as "Natalie's Bill," the legislation is named after Natalie De Leon who was killed on July 2, 2006, when she was ejected from a car. Natalie was not wearing a seat belt. Beatriz Fuentes, BIA-MA's Bilingual Community Outreach Coordinator, is Natalie's mother.

Currently, Massachusetts only has a secondary seat belt law which means law enforcement officers can only cite a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt if they are pulled over for another violation. With the passage of this proposed legislation, law enforcement will be authorized to pull over a vehicle exclusively for not buckling up.

It is estimated that increased seat belt usage would:

• Save 18 lives each year

• Prevent approximately 600 serious injuries.

• Save taxpayers approximately $171 million annually, of which $55 million are private medical insurance costs.

Push for Stronger Seat Belt Law in Massachusetts, WGGB, Springfield, January 9, 2012

SEATBELT HEARING SCHEDULED

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security is considering Senate Bill 1211 and House Bill 2401, legislation to enact a primary seat belt law. 

TAKE ACTION - Contact the Public Safety Committee Chairs and Contact Your Legislator

Senator James Timilty c/o State House Room 507 Boston, MA 02133 617-722-1222 james.timilty@masenate.gov

Representative Harold Naughton c/o State House Room 167 Boston, MA 02133 617-722-2230 harold.naughton@mahouse.gov

 

 

For more information about BIA-MA's Advocacy efforts, contact us at 508-475-0032 or advocacy@biama.org