71FC007ABAF7071E8725821F007A197B Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Court, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-053. The bill makes not wearing a seat belt a primary offense. Committee members received a letter in support of the bill [Attachment C].

Mike Lewis, Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the benefits of changing seat belt violations from secondary to primary offenses. He responded to committee member questions.

Denise Maes, representing the ACLU of Colorado, testified against the bill. She explained that primary seat belt laws disproportionately affect people of color, and she noted that education is more effective than increased fines in getting more people to wear seat belts.

Rebecca Messell, representing herself, testified against the bill. She expressed concern that the bill would have negative affects on racial minorities and people who drive older cars. She suggested that punishments under the bill could exceed the offense.

John Henry, representing Drive Smart Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his organization's history and work, and he described the safety features of seat belts.

Maile Grey, representing Drive Smart Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She suggested that in addition to education, enforcement is important to improving vehicle safety.

Chief Bob Ticer, Chief of Police for the City of Loveland, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his role on the Colorado Task Force on Drunk and Impaired Driving and noted its support for the bill. He explained that current seat belt enforcement is weak without a primary violation.

Committee members received a letter of support from the County Sheriffs of Colorado [Attachment D].

Jeremy Greene, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He told the story of the accident he was in as a 16-year-old, which caused a severe traumatic brain injury.

Kim Greene, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her son Jeremy's recovery and the challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury.

Maile Grey read a letter from Jaime Richardson in support of the bill. The letter told Ms. Richardson's story of her experience in a car accident as a teenager.

Julie Mullica, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the importance of seat belt use in saving lives. She added that primary seat belt laws in other states have not resulted in disparate actions against racial minorities.

Dwayne Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his experience in an accident as a teenager not wearing a seat belt.

Col. Mark Trostel, representing Colorado Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in support of the bill. He emphasized the importance of enforcement as a tool in addition to education campaigns.

Barbara Brady, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She told the story of her son's death in a car accident while not wearing a seat belt, and she described the accident's affect on her family.

Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, testified in support of the bill. He explained that trucking companies already have consequences for their drivers if they fail to wear their seat belts. He noted that the consequences of accidents between trucks and passenger cars can be severe.

Christine Haskell, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She described a car accident she was in, and the lifelong injuries she suffered as the result of impact from an unrestrained passenger.

Mr. Fulton responded to a committee member question about seat belt requirements for truck drivers.

Amy Nichols, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She described the car accident that killed her son and his best friend, both of whom were ejected from the vehicle as a result of not wearing seat belts. She noted that three restrained passengers survived the crash.

Senator Court wrapped up her presentation of the bill.

Committee members received a map of unrestrained traffic fatalities [Attachment E].

Committee members commented on the bill.