Wilson OKs Tougher Seat Belt Law

Gov. Pete Wilson signed legislation Tuesday that allows police officers to pull over and cite motorists solely for failing to buckle their seat belts.

Under current law, police cannot cite motorists for violating the state’s mandatory seat belt law unless they have been stopped for a separate offense. Violators of the new law would pay a maximum $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for subsequent violations. The law extends to 1996, when it will be re-evaluated.