Commentary
Update on the Colorado Safety Belt Coalition's efforts
AAA Colorado is proud to be a founding member of the Colorado Safety Belt Coalition, which is working to change the state's current seat belt law from a secondary offense to a primary, or “standard,” offense.
The Coalition is comprised of a wide variety of agencies, corporations and individuals. (To learn more about the issue and the Coalition, go to www.buckleupcolorado.org or to www.aaa.com/safety.)
Since the January/February issue of EnCompass, which outlined the subject, much has happened.
House Bill 1125, sponsored by Representative Fran Coleman and Senator Peter Groff, was introduced on Jan. 17, 2006.
On Jan. 27, the Coalition hosted a press conference to formally begin its campaign in support of the bill. Held on the west steps of the state capitol building, the event included remarks from Colonel Mark V. Trostel, chief
of the Colorado State Patrol; Representative Fran Coleman; Alexa Gromko , spokesperson for AAA Colorado; and courageous parents who have lost unbelted loved ones. The parents included: Pam Sallee and Wayne Burton, parents of Brittney Hudson, a 17-year-old who was killed in a crash on Nov. 23, 2005; Rebecca Ellsworth, mother of Brian Ellsworth, 14, who died on Feb. 28, 2003; and Suzanne McLeod, mother of Caitlin Craig-McLeod, 15, who also died on Feb. 28, 2003 in the same crash as Brian Ellsworth.
Silent, dramatic reminders of the consequences of not using a seat belt were the 282 pairs of shoes that lined the capitol steps. The shoes represented the Colorado lives lost in 2004 traffic crashes as a result of being unrestrained. Additionally, a mangled crash car of a person who survived because of a seat belt was displayed.
The press conference generated a tremendous amount of exposure, including 45 news stories around the state.
At EnCompass press time, HB 1125 had made it out of committee and was in the House for debate and votes. If passed by the House, it goes to the Senate for approval. If approved by the Senate, and no amendments are attached, it will go to Governor Bill Owens to be signed into law.
Success of this bill is definitely not assured. In fact, it has been defeated three times before. So, if the bill is still being debated when you receive this magazine (the end of February), it will need your support to help it pass. To ensure that your voice is heard, go to www.vote-smart.org/index.htm to find out who your state legislators are, then take a moment—in a phone call, email or letter—to express your opinion on why this bill needs to be passed.
With your help, this bill will pass and lives will be saved on Colorado roadways.
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