NH House Committee Debates Seatbelt Law
New Hampshire Only State Without Mandatory Seatbelt Law
CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire House Transportation Committee will meet Tuesday to discuss whether the Live Free or Die state should make wearing a seat belt mandatory.
New Hampshire is the only state without such a law.
Democratic state Rep. Sally Kelly was once against requiring the use of seat belts, but now said the law is needed to prevent injury and death. She said enacting the law would give the state a one-time infusion of $3.7 million in federal highway funding and could qualify the state for more money later.
A survey of seatbelt use in New Hampshire last year showed that 69 percent of drivers wore seat belts, below the national average of 83 percent.
Opponents said the state can increase seatbelt use without requiring it by law.
New Hampshire has required seat belts for all those under 18 since 1997, for those under 12 since 1989 and for preschoolers since 1983.