A public hearing is scheduled this week in which Buchanan County Commissioners will take comments on a proposal to enact a “primary” seat belt ordinance in the county. Officials say the current state law requires seat belts, but requires another violation to be enforced.

Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins says the current state law is unique.

“They can see the violation, and yet, unless that person is doing something in addition to that, something else that’s a violation, the police officer can’t enforce the law,” Scroggins said in an interview.

“That’s the only law of which I’m aware on the books that exists like that.”

Mr Scroggins supports the new proposed ordinance. It was made possible by a ruling from the Supreme Court of Missouri that upheld a primary seat belt ordinance in St John, Missouri. Since that ruling several other jurisdictions have implemented local, primary ordinances. Those include the town of Weston, Missouri.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong also supports the measure, which he says is all about safety.

“This is about reducing the number of fatalities in Buchanan County,” Strong said in an interview. “I think it could save several, not only in Buchanan County, but statewide.”

Both Scroggins and Strong say the new proposal is not about further controlling people. Scroggins points out that the debate over requiring seat belts in Missouri happened years ago, and resulted in the current ordinance. Seat belts are already required. Strong says its not about the money either, in fact, quite the opposite.

“We are not trying to be all-controlling. We will make nothing from this. It will actually make more work for us, and probably cost a little more money,” Strong said.

“We’re not in this for the money. We’re in this strictly for lowering our number of injuries and fatalities in Buchanan County.

A public hearing is scheduled Thursday, October 1st, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., in the County Commission office on the first floor of the Buchanan County Courthouse.