Missouri senators revisited the theme of finding the proper balance between government oversight and personal freedom this week.
The occasion was Senate committee discussion of three roadway safety bills concerning seat belt use, texting while driving and helmet requirements for motorcyclists.
We believe the overall argument has been settled; existing state laws on all three topics demonstrate the state does have an interest in motorists' safety.
Proposed changes to existing laws include:
• Two Senate bills would prohibit texting while driving for all motorists. The ban now applies only to motorists under age 22 and to commercial drivers.
• A separate Senate bill would make failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense. The failure now is a secondary offense, which means another offense must be the reason for a traffic stop. An unrestrained driver, however, also may be cited for failure to wear a seat belt. The proposal also would extend the requirement to adult passengers in back seats.
• Another bill would allow motorcycle riders who are at least 21 and have health insurance to ride without a helmet, as long as they have been licensed for two years or have completed a safety class.
Existing laws on seat belt use and texting while driving are partial measures. The message is safety applies only to certain people under certain circumstances.
We favor the proposed changes on these two issues as a means to make the laws fair and equitable for everyone.
Applying that logic, we oppose changing the motorcycle helmet law because it would transform an equitable law into a half measure. If approved, the safety measure would apply only for certain motorcycle riders who meet certain criteria.
On matters of public safety, half measures are insufficient. The law doesn't give certain motorists the personal freedom to ignore stop signs or red lights.
Driving is not a personal freedom. It is a privilege that requires obtaining a license and obeying the rules so everyone can share the roads safely. Let's make the rules consistent for everyone.