Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) will serve as chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Passenger Vehicle Seat Safety Belts, which was created by the passage of Senate Resolution 366. The study committee is tasked with reviewing current seat safety belt use in cars and any potential steps that need to be taken to increase passenger safety.
Senate Resolution 366 states that, “according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016, seat safety belts in passenger vehicles saved the lives of nearly 15,000 drivers and their passengers, but nearly 2,500 more lives would have been saved if everyone restrained themselves with a seat safety belt.”
It goes on to say that “study is needed on the means and mechanisms for increasing seat safety belt usage in motor vehicles in this state, including, but not limited to, the consideration of requiring all occupants of a passenger vehicle to be restrained by a seat safety belt.”
The committee is made up of five Senators. Joining Albers on the committee are: Sen. Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), who introduced SR 366, Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta) and Sen. Chuck Payne (R-Dalton).
According to the Resolution, the study committee is responsible for submitting a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, by December 1, 2019.
