Primary Seatbelt Bill Passes Senate

A primary Seatbelt law in North Dakota is one step closer to happening. Senate Bill 2121 passed the North Dakota Senate this afternoon by a vote of 28-18.

Senator Michael Dwyer (Bismarck), who carried the bill to the Senate floor said “This bill is the only bill we will consider that will save lives without costing a dollar of taxpayer money.” Dwyer, who sits on the Senate Transportation Committee, referenced the committee testimony of law enforcement officers, particularly the testimony of the ND Highway Patrol, and Grand Forks Sheriff Andy Schneider. “This isn’t about writing tickets,” Dwyer said. “They know, and we all know that if we pass this bill people will increase their use of seatbelts – and it will save lives.”

The bill, which will update the current seatbelt law, will require all occupants in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, and changes the violation from secondary to primary enforcement. Updating from a secondary to primary enforcement bill has had great success in the states that have implemented the law updates. Dwyer told the Senate of the positive changes Minnesota experienced after changing their law to primary enforcement in 2009.

After implementing the primary seatbelt law, Minnesota did a study of the next four years. Seatbelt use in Minnesota rose from 86% to 95%. Unbelted fatalities fell dramatically from 46% down to 30%. In those four years, Minnesota had 132 fewer seatbelt related deaths, and 434 fewer substantial injuries. 

“I believe all 47 of us in this chamber believe in personal liberties and personal responsibility. I try to vote against bills that control behavior through government regulation, rather than folks using their own good judgment,” Dwyer said. “Some might argue that failure to wear a seatbelt is only effecting the person choosing not to wear the seatbelt. However, law enforcement has implored us to recognize that this is simply not true. Law enforcement are the ones that find the bodies that are thrown from their vehicles, and are also the ones that must go to the homes of loved ones and tell them that they will never see their child, their sibling or their parent again.”

Senator Brad Bekkedahl (Williston), who sponsored and introduced the bill, asked a simple question to the floor. “What is the value of this bill if it doesn’t pass?”, to which Bekkedahl answered his own question. “Nothing.” He continued, “What is the value of this bill if it does pass to the family planning a welcome home to a crash survivor that wore a seatbelt instead of planning a funeral?” “Priceless,” he answered.

The bill now goes to the North Dakota House for consideration.

Other NDACo Priority Bills to be Voted on Soon

We encourage you to reach out to your legislators in the respective chamber where the following bills will be voted on yet this week or early next week. 

HB 1200 - Limits Counties to 2% growth - DNP recommendation (VOTE NO)  - HOUSE 

HB 1112 - Prioritization Inmate Reimbursement - DP recommendation (VOTE YES) - HOUSE

HB 1104 - Changes min time served from 85% to 65% - DNP recommendation (VOTE NO) - HOUSE