NDOT to Seek Tougher Seat Belt Law

The director of the Nevada Department of Transportation says one way to curb traffic deaths is to enact a tougher seat belt law.

NDOT director Rudy Malfabon says in Clark County alone, 88 people have been killed in traffic accidents this year, an increase of 54 percent from 2011. There have been 37 pedestrian deaths in the county, up 37 percent from a year ago

The Las Vegas Sun reports Malfabon told the state Board of Transportation on Monday that the agency will ask the 2013 Legislature to enact a primary seat belt law allowing police to pull over a driver for not wearing a safety belt.

Under existing law an officer can only cite a driver for a seat belt violation if stopped for another infraction.