SF0011 • 2021

Highway safety-seat belts.

AN ACT relating to safety belt usage; repealing the prohibition on halting a motor vehicle solely for a safety belt violation; increasing and modifying penalties; and providing for an effective date.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Transportation
Last action: 2021-03-22
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2021

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about requiring individuals to complete a safe driving education course, which was mentioned in the candidate explanation.

Highway Safety: Seat Belt Usage

The bill changes the rules about seat belt use in cars and increases penalties for not wearing them.

What This Bill Does

Removes a rule that police cannot stop drivers just because they are not wearing seat belts.
Increases the fine for drivers who do not wear seat belts to up to $100.
Increases the fine for passengers under 12 years old who do not wear seat belts to up to $200 per passenger.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers and passengers in Wyoming
Police officers

Terms To Know

citation: A ticket given by the police for breaking traffic rules.
fine: Money that someone has to pay as a punishment for breaking a rule or law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It is unclear how many people will be affected by the changes in fines and penalties.

Bill History

2021-03-22 Senate
S COW:S Did not consider for COW
2021-01-27 Senate
S Placed on General File
2021-01-27 Senate
S08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 3-1-0-1-0
2021-01-12 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation
2021-01-12 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2020-12-23 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

21LSO-0243
2021
STATE OF WYOMING
21LSO-0243
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0011

Highway safety-seat belts.

Sponsored by: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to safety belt usage; repealing the prohibition on halting a motor vehicle solely for a safety belt violation; increasing and modifying penalties; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
1402(e) is amended to read:

31
‑
5
‑
1402.

Safety belts required to be used; exceptions; reduction in fine; fines; safe driving course.

(e)

All citations for violations of the motor vehicle laws of this state and for violations of traffic ordinances or traffic regulations of a local authority shall contain a notation by the issuing officer indicating whether the driver and passengers complied with this section.

Compliance with this section shall entitle a licensee to a ten dollar ($10.00) reduction in the fine otherwise imposed by any court having jurisdiction over the alleged offense. The driver who violates this section may be issued a citation and may be subject to a fine of not more than
twenty
‑
five dollars ($25.00)
one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the driver and a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each passenger under twelve (12) years of age allowed to violate this section
. Any passenger who violates this section may be issued a citation and may be subject to a fine of not more than
ten dollars ($10.00)
one hundred dollars ($100.00)
.
Any person who violates this section shall be required to complete a safe and defensive driving education course pursuant to department rules.

Section 2.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
1402(d) is repealed.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2021
.

(END)

1
SF0011