A measure that will allow deputies to pull-over and issue tickets based on failing to wear a seat-belt has been passed in Buchanan County.

The Buchanan County Commission approved the measure Monday morning on a vote of 2-1.  Ron Hook and Dan Hausman voted in favor of the measure with Harry Roberts opposed.

The county has held public hearings for commissioners to take comments on the “primary” seat belt law proposal.  Hook said he voted in favor of the measure due to statistics.

“There was a lot of stats that were provided to us by Safety Council, Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Department and Police Department that the number of accidents that occur and stats that show if not wearing a seat belt the possibility of severe injury or death increase seven times,” Hook said. “I felt it necessary to enforce it.”

Previously, Proscuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins told the St. Joseph Post the ordinance 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.

Hook said the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department is the only agency that can pull you over in Buchanan County based on not wearing your safety belt.

“But they can pull you over any place in Buchanan County, wither it’s inside the city limits of St. Joseph, or DeKalb, or Rushville, or Agency or any place like that.  It’s for the whole county,” Hook said.

The measure will take effect Nov. 1