South Dakota house committee kills bill to repeal mandatory use of seat belts for adults

https://drgnews.com/2025/01/28/south-dakota-house-committee-kills-bill-to-repeal-mandatory-use-of-seat-belts-for-adults/

created by puppiwhirl on 29/01/2025 at 16:52 UTC

358 upvotes, 20 top-level comments (showing 20)

(South Dakota Broadcasters Association)— Death, trauma and money dominated the debate Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2025) as a South Dakota legislative committee rejected a bill that would have ended mandatory seat belt use for adults.

The House Transportation Committee voted 10-2 to kill the measure after over an hour of emotional testimony from crash survivors, medical workers and insurance executives.

Rep. Dylan Jordan from Clear Lake told lawmakers he survived a rollover crash last year because he was wearing a seat belt. However, his personal experience didn’t change his view that the government shouldn’t mandate their use.

“This bill is simply about freedom and personal responsibility,” Jordan said. “I encourage everyone to wear their seat belt. This bill is about the proper role of government.”

Gretchen Weible said she drove from Elkton to support ending the mandate. She argued that crash statistics show seat belts don’t guarantee survival.

“According to injuryfacts.org, in 2022, 50.24 percent of occupants who died while wearing restraints were using a seat belt, while 49.76 percent were unrestrained. Just about equal,” Weible said.

Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt of Sioux Falls, a nurse anesthetist, portrayed the crash victims she’s treated.

“When a vehicle stops suddenly, and there’s a person inside without a seat belt, that person’s head can go through the windshield,” Rehfeldt said. “I have not forgotten the faces of people who have died, and I won’t ever forget their faces.”

Money also factored heavily in the debate. Highway Patrol Assistant Superintendent Robert Whisler said the change would cost South Dakota millions in federal highway dollars.

“If passed, this bill would divert over six million dollars of federal aid dedicated to highway construction to our state highway safety programs,” Whisler said.

Insurance representatives warned that medical costs for unbelted crash victims run 50 times higher than those for people wearing seat belts, which would drive up insurance rates for everyone.

South Dakota has required seat belt use since 1995. According to state data, about 91 percent of South Dakotans buckle up regularly. The law remains a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement can only write tickets after stopping vehicles for other infractions.

Comments

Comment by Cucoloris at 29/01/2025 at 17:40 UTC

73 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I worked on an ambulance crew. I can't move a car without bucking my seat belt. The things I have seen. The seat belt law made things better.

Comment by [deleted] at 29/01/2025 at 17:42 UTC

32 upvotes, 2 direct replies

[deleted]

Comment by Daleaturner at 29/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC

22 upvotes, 0 direct replies

It’s Big Seatbelt, I tell you.

Comment by Utael at 29/01/2025 at 16:57 UTC

41 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Gretchen Weible should also know breathing doesn’t guarantee survival either. She’s also using a very particular set of data which only included high speed roll over collisions.

Comment by Livid_Role_8948 at 29/01/2025 at 18:22 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

This. Is. Insane.

Comment by frosty95 at 29/01/2025 at 20:14 UTC

9 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Ah yes freedom and responsibility.... Unless it's something the Republicans don't like. Like women making their own medical decisions or wanting to smoke a harmless plant instead of destroying your liver.

Comment by TheRealMrJoshua56 at 29/01/2025 at 20:54 UTC

8 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Why was this even up for debate?

Comment by Lyrick_ at 29/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I know we love that Gov money, it's a shame we can't allow some of the herd to thin itself out.

Comment by MerryMortician at 29/01/2025 at 18:07 UTC*

4 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I advocate for and use my seatbelt regardless of laws. My car doesn’t move until everyone is buckled up.

That being said, if you’re too stupid to wear one, I feel like that’s your choice.

Comment by Doodadsumpnrother at 29/01/2025 at 19:58 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Once again the money was the deciding factor. Never mind common sense and the cost of healthcare and insurance.

Comment by Kawaiolumahai at 29/01/2025 at 21:17 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Safety should be important, to save lives 🙏

Comment by notorious_BIGfoot at 30/01/2025 at 01:20 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Why are they wasting time and money on this. Jfc

Comment by ActAffectionate7578 at 29/01/2025 at 22:25 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

My god I feel like I'm watching a horror movie this week and 💀

Comment by pbr4me at 30/01/2025 at 04:18 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Your tax dollars at work, ladies and gentlemen.

Comment by uj7895 at 30/01/2025 at 05:03 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

It’s $20 and I have got 5 of them in 30 years. If anything, wearing one is a pretty standard 5mph discount on your speeding ticket if you weren’t going ludicrous speed.

Comment by Narrow_Ad2264 at 30/01/2025 at 05:57 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Princess Bride, ….”he’s not dead, just mostly dead.” But in these potential future accidents, it’ll be he’s walking or he’s dead. None of this “mostly dead” shenanigans. Just who brain farted this bill to repeal mandatory use of seat belts?

Comment by Autobubbs at 31/01/2025 at 10:36 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Noem leaves and night immediately common sense prevails in Pierre. Coincidence, or a sign of things to come?