The state’s leading motorist group says lawmakers missed a chance to make Oklahoma’s kids safer in cars.
House Bill 3026 would have required kids under 14 to wear a seatbelt, closing a hole in state law where once kids grow out of booster seats or turn 8, they can sit in the back seat without buckling up. AAA Oklahoma’s Mark Madeja said the bill stalled after passing the House.
"AAA Oklahoma is dedicated and will renew its efforts in the 2019 legislative session to make seatbelt use mandatory for all occupants in a motor vehicle, not just those in the front seat," Madeja said.
Besides child restraints, state law only requires front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts.
Nationwide, a child under 13 is involved in a car crash every 33 seconds. Crashes are a leading cause of death for Oklahoma kids.
"You know, it’s time for Oklahoma to be progressive in the area of seatbelt use and strive to be a national standard of excellence in passenger safety," Madeja said.
