Seat Belt Law Adopted

Published April 27, 2010 at 11:24 p.m.

(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau/AP) -- A bill to require seat belt usage in pickups is on its way to the governor's desk. If signed into law, Georgia would join the rest of the nation.

The Georgia House voted 132-29 Tuesday to end Georgia's distinction as the last state to specifically exempt adults in pickups from buckling up. The Senate already adopted the measure.  

The measure has been brought before the legislature for years, but has never be voted on in the House where rural lawmakers have opposed it.

The bill, as passed, makes exceptions for adults in pickups when doing agricultural work.

"If you're going to the feed store to pick up feed, you're not required to wear a seat belt...but if you're going to a football game, you are," says Rep. Mickey Channell (R-Greensboro) who presented the bill in the House.

Supporters of the change have come to legislators for years armed with frightening statistics about the number of lives that could be saved, accidents avoided and medical costs saved if the law was tweaked.

The House beat down an amendment to make seat belt usage a secondary traffic offense.

The bill goes into affect upon the governor's signature.

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