Culver interested in seat-belt safety for minors

DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver signaled early interest Tuesday in expanding seat-belt requirements for minor vehicle passengers during the 2010 legislative session.

The first-term Democrat said he would consider a proposal that has stalled in the Legislature which seeks to raise the current age requirement that any passenger 10 years old or younger wear a seatbelt or restraint while riding in the back seat of a vehicle. Proponents have worked to increase the back-seat age limit to 17 for required seat-belt usage; all front-seat occupants currently must wear a seat belt or restraint.

The issue came up while Culver toured the emergency room at Blank Children's Hospital, where officials noted that vehicle accidents are a top cause of deaths and injuries among Iowans aged 17 or younger. Kathy Leggett, a hospital employee who has helped spearhead legislation to mandate the use of seat belts by youth aged 11 through 17, said she would welcome Culver's help in pushing for legislative passage.

“I think that absolutely would be helpful,” she said.

From 2004 to 2007, Leggett noted that 71 deaths and 1,823 injuries were attributed to unbelted vehicle passengers below age 18, with about 85 percent of both categories involving youth in the 11-17 age group.

After the event, Culver spokesman Phil Roeder said the health of young Iowans is one of the governor's top priorities and he views safety and preventative steps as important parts of good health policy.

“While it is still early to list a legislative agenda for next year, this is an issue the governor will discuss with legislative leaders as we look ahead to the 2010 session,” Roeder said in a statement.

Opponents who have successfully stalled the proposed legislation call it more “nanny-state” government attempting to mandate what should be the role of parents in protecting their children's safety. Critics also fear it would be an incremental step toward expanding the requirement to adults, similar to the current front-seat mandate for belts or restraints.