Beginning on August 15, 2009, passengers riding in the backseat of a vehicle will be required to wear a seatbelt. This will be a change in the law as previously, only children under 12 in the backseat had to wear a belt. There will be a $25.00 fine for the first violation of a backseat passenger in failing to wear a seatbelt, and if it happens a second time, the fine is increased to $50.00.
It is interesting (and sad) to note that there were approximately 317 people who died in Louisiana in auto accidents because they were not wearing seatbelts. This supports numerous studies that seatbelts do help save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.
Many individuals complain that they should not have to wear a seatbelt, but they should remember that driving is not a right. It is a privilege. I applaud our legislature for passing this law and I look forward to a law that makes it illegal to talk on hand-held cell phones while one is operating any moving equipment, be it car, four-wheeler, train, bus, farm equipment, or boat.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
