Arkansas House Rejects Backseat Belt Bill

The Arkansas House has voted down a bill that would require rear seat passengers in vehicles to wear seat belts.

The House voted 57-34 against the bill by Reps. Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff. House members questioned the possible impact the bill would have on insurance coverage and whether police don’t have better things to do.

Wilkins said unbelted back seat passengers can fly forward and strike people in the front seat or be ejected in crashes.