A resolution requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to enact legislation that would make the failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Tennessee.

WHEREAS, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts have been proven to be the single most effective safety device to prevent serious injury resulting from an automobile accident; and

WHEREAS, the increased use of seat belts in the United States has saved over 175,000 lives since 1975; and

WHEREAS, preventable deaths and injuries due to motor vehicle crashes represent a public health crisis in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, T.C.A. §55-9-603 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Tennessee unless the operator and all passengers are restrained by a safety belt at all times while the vehicle is in forward motion; and

WHEREAS, T.C.A. §55-9-603(f)(1) makes the failure to wear a seatbelt a secondary offense and provides that no citation or arrest warrant shall be issued for failure to wear a seat belt unless a person is stopped by a law enforcement officer for a separate violation of law and is issued a citation for that separate violation; and

WHEREAS, there is currently legislation pending in the Tennessee General Assembly that would remove the enforcement of the seat belt law as a secondary offense and make it a primary offense, thus allowing police officers to stop vehicles and issue citations solely for the failure to wear a seat belt; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council go on record as supporting this seat belt legislation as an effort to further reduce traffic related injuries and fatalities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to enact legislation that would make the failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Tennessee.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jamie Isabel, Ludye N. Wallace