Kansas Getting $11.2 Million With New Seatbelt Law

Kansas is getting its financial reward for adopting a tougher seat belt law.

A check for nearly $11.2 million will be presented Tuesday to Gov. Mark Parkinson by an official of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It’s the federal incentive payment for passage of primary seat belt legislation.

Parkinson signed the measure into law May 27. It requires every occupant of a passenger car to wear a safety belt. It also allows law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle solely for a seat belt violation.

Previously, Kansas officers could issue a seat belt citation only if they spotted some other infraction.

Tuesday’s check presentation was scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Gage Maintenance Complex in Topeka.