It's time to protect all motorists

Statistics have continued to repeatedly prove time and again that seat belts save lives. There's absolutely no way to dispute the overwhelming evidence.

So we find ourselves yet again in the midst of another Indiana General Assembly, hoping that Indiana leaders will finally bring statewide safety belt standards on par with the rest of the country.

The sad truth of the matter is that Indiana's primary seat belt law continues to field a dangerous loophole. That law, which was originally adopted many years ago with farm vehicles in mind, now completely fails to protect drivers of trucks as well as those who drive other vehicles plated as trucks.

In other words, here's the current message to those on Indiana roadways...if you're in the front seat of a car, we care enough about you to require you to wear a seat belt. If you're in a truck or an SUV or minivan with a truck plate, please feel free to ride completely unbuckled. The decision is yours.

Does that make sense?

It certainly doesn't to most of the rest of the United States. In fact, Indiana and Georgia are the only two states in the country with primary seat belt laws that exempt trucks.

What's equally troubling is that any Hoosier, including new, inexperienced teenage drivers, can purchase a truck plate for their SUV or other qualifying vehicle for an additional fee of approximately $9.

And as we already know, nearly one of every four plated vehicles in Indiana is registered as a truck.

Now is the time for Indiana lawmakers to make things right by passing House Bill 1237 into law. Doing so will equally protect ALL motorists on Indiana roadways.

This issue has nothing to do with whether or not Hoosiers like to wear seat belts, nor does it have anything to do with how people feel about the government telling them what to do. Indiana voted seat belt usage into law many years ago. The question at hand is...what valid reason can possibly be given to justify the protection of only those who drive cars.

The answer is...none. That's why only one other state in the country currently has the same dilemma we do.

Greg Seiter Public Affairs Manager, AAA Hoosier Motor Club