AAA Minnesota/Iowa Announces its Top 2007 Legislative Priorities.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- AAA Minnesota/Iowa announced today its 2007 legislative priorities. Stricter laws for seat belts, child passenger safety and graduated drivers' licensing top the list.

Universal Seat Belt

Since 1986, Iowa has had a seat belt law that requires a fastened seat belt for the driver, a passenger riding in the front seat and recently included children between the ages of 6-10 in any seat of a vehicle. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is calling for implementation of a universal seat belt law that requires a fastened seat belt for every body, every seat, every time.

"Seat belts save lives regardless of which seating position a passenger is in," said Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs, AAA Minnesota/Iowa.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, traffic crashes cost Iowa taxpayers millions of dollars annually for crash-related services, not to mention the needless lives lost due to seat belt non-use.

Child Passenger Safety

In Iowa, the current law states that children under age 6 must be in an approved child safety seat, and children ages 6 to 10 must be restrained, but allows that restraint to be an adult seat belt. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is calling for a change that would require children under age 8 to be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint. In 2004, the law was slightly improved by raising the minimum age a child could ride in a seat belt from age 3 to age 5.

"Although improved, the current legislation can give parents the false impression that after age 5 children are safely restrained in a seat belt," said Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs, AAA Minnesota/Iowa. "Most people do not realize automobile crashes are the No. 1 killer of children in the United States and that many of these deaths could be prevented." In fact, a research report by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the appropriate child restraint system reduces death and serious injury by 59 percent.

Graduated Driver's Licensing

On Jan. 1, 1999, Iowa activated a Graduated Drivers License (GDL) system, adding a provisional license stage for young drivers. The current law is a three-phase system for youth under the age of 18: Phase -1, Instruction Permit; Phase -2, Provisional License; and Phase -3, Full License. The current law places limitations for moving violations and/or alcohol/controlled substance violations. There also are several conditions that must be met before a driver can receive their license including testing, behind-the-wheel instruction and parent/guardian consent.

AAA Minnesota/Iowa is calling for a change that would incorporate passenger restrictions for the Provisional (Phase - II) License. AAA Minnesota/Iowa supports limiting the number of passengers to one person, excluding family members, during the Phase II Provisional License stage.

"Young, inexperienced drivers account for the largest percentage of all vehicle crashes and driving with other teenagers in the vehicle only increases that crash risk factor," Weinholzer said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Board, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. Sixty-five percent of teen passenger deaths occur when another teenager is driving.

AAA Minnesota/Iowa believes educating the public about the benefits of seat belts, the proper use of child safety seats, GDL, and closing loopholes that exist in current state laws, are keys to preventing unintentional injuries and deaths.

AAA offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 49 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, with 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states.