DENVER (AP) -- With up to $14 million in federal aid on the line, Colorado lawmakers are again trying to tighten the state's seat belt law.
Colorado already requires drivers to buckle up but violators can only be ticketed if they're pulled over for another traffic offense and then found not to be wearing a seat belt. A bill up for its first hearing tomorrow would make it a primary offense and allow authorities to pull over and ticket anyone not wearing a seat belt.
Previous attempts to change the law have failed because of concerns about civil liberties and racial profiling.
This is the last year lawmakers have a chance to get more federal money if they change the law. The Colorado Department of Transportation says the state could get between $12 and $14 million if it changes its law, depending on how many other states also squeeze in under the deadline.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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