Lawmakers vote to increase fines for not wearing seatbelts

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana lawmakers have agreed to boost the fines against people caught not wearing seatbelts in a vehicle.

The bill by Rep. Walt Leger, a New Orleans Democrat, would increase the fine for a first offense from $25 to $50. Violators would pay $75 each additional time.

Supporters said they hoped the fine hike would encourage people to buckle up.

The Senate gave final passage to the bill with a 22-14 vote Wednesday. The House earlier had supported it in a 62-34 vote. The proposal now goes to the governor’s desk.

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House Bill 751: www.legis.la.gov