Utah Oks bill strengthening seatbelt laws

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s Republican governor has signed a bill that that would allow police to pull over drivers for not wearing seatbelts.

The measure signed by Gov. Gary Herbert on Monday makes it a primary offense for drivers older than 19 to not buckle up.

Under current Utah law, police can only ticket drivers for seatbelt violations after they’ve been pulled over for another traffic offense.

The bill creates a three-year pilot program ending in July 2018. After that, seatbelt violations will again be a secondary offense.

Under the pilot program, citations can only be issued on a second offense. The $45 ticket can be waived if the person completes a 30 minute course from the Department of Public Safety.

It will take effect on May 12.

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