A Florida State House of Representatives' Committee passed a bill that would
strengthen Florida’s seat belt law, upgrading it to a tougher enforcement policy.
Now it has to be brought to the House floor for passage. However, an identical
bill in the Senate is not making any progress.

Will the Senate transportation committee approve it? This is the committee
that wanted to fine drivers for displaying "ornaments" that resemble
genitalia on or inside their vehicles. Well, they got their wish on April 23, 2008;
The Senate unanimously passed a bill that would ban replicas of male
genitalia on vehicles, commonly known as "truck nutz." The Senate's Highway
Safety Bill (SB 1992), however, conflicts with the House's version, which
doesn't include the amendment banning the vehicle ornaments often seen
hanging off the back of pickup trucks. If made law, the bill would allow officers
to ticket drivers $60 for the displays. Weston Democrat Sen. Nan Rich,
who has tried in vain for her bill allowing officers to stop motorists for
seat-belt violations, criticized the amendment.

Do "Truck Nutz" interest the committee more than passing a tougher
seatbelt law??? Hello? Where are their priorities? A safety belt law with
more "clout" could save 200 lives and prevent more than 2,700 serious
injuries in the first year alone. (experts estimate)

“Despite tremendous bipartisan support in the Senate, as demonstrated by
14 co-sponsors, the Transportation chairman refuses to give the bill a
hearing,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president of AAA Auto Club
south, which supports the bill as its top safety priority. “We aren’t asking
for the Chairman’s vote, just his willingness to allow the bill to be
considered.”

What's in it for Floridians, besides safety? Well, Florida also stands to gain
an additional $35 million in federal grants for safety programs if it adopts the bill.

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