'It's a common sense bill': Oklahoma senator pushes for stricter seat belt laws
TULSA, Okla. — Thirty-eight percent of kids killed in 2020 car crashes nationwide weren't wearing a seat belt, according to data from the CDC.
Oklahoma Senator Roland Pederson said the Sooner state is the only one in the country that doesn't require kids eight and older to buckle up.
Pederson proposed Senate Bill 681, which would require people 16 and younger to wear seat belts in the back seat.
He's proposed similar bills in the past two legislative sessions, which failed.
"The only feedback that I get is government overreach," he said of his colleagues.
Back in September 2022, five Sand Springs kids were involved in a life-altering car accident.
The two kids in the front seat survived and had to be hospitalized.
The three in the back seat died, including Jesse Saner's 16-year-old daughter, Cyra.
"She was my best friend," he told NewsChannel 8 in September. "I miss her."
Responding officer reported that nobody in the car wore a seatbelt.
"Just, why?" Saner pondered. "I know I'll never get the answer."
Oklahoma state law states that every driver and front seat passenger has to wear a seat belt.
In the back seat, the law says seat belts are only required for those 8 and younger.
"I'd love for that law to be changed," Saner told NewsChannel 8.
"That's the story that needs to be heard," said Pederson.
He hopes this go-around, other legislators will help get the bill to the finish line.
"I've tried," Pederson said. "I've got people in my district that was affected by it. We have statistics showing that it will save lives."
