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Group Says Highway Safety Laws Save Lives, But Only In Some States
By David Schultz
The group Advocates for Highway Safety studied the effects of some of the laws states have passed in the previous two decades. They found that laws mandating seat belt use were some of the most effective, saving almost 25,000 lives since 1990.
But, not all states have seat belt laws. For example, in Virginia failure to wear a seat belt is a secondary offense, which means police officers can't ticket you for it unless they pull you over for something else.
Judie Stone, the president of Advocates for Highway Safety, says bills to make this a primary offense have failed in Richmond numerous times.
"So that's a very important one because if you have that law in place, the use rates are much higher. And that means that lives are saved," says Stone.
Nationwide, Advocates found highway safety laws, mandating everything from booster seats to motorcycle helmets, saved 85,000 lives over the past 20 years.
James Gandolfini Dies; 'Sopranos' Actor Was 51
Actor James Gandolfini, 51, has reportedly died. Variety magazine reports that he suffered a "sudden stroke." The cause of death is not yet known with certainty, but HBO says the actor may have suffered a heart attack.And The Winner Of The World Food Prize Is ... The Man From Monsanto
The prize is sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture." And this year's winners include Monsanto executive Robert Fraley, a pioneer in genetically engineered crops. If there's a single person who personifies the company's controversial role in American agriculture, it's probably Fraley.Meet The New Governor: Sharply Partisan And Upwardly Mobile
For years, governors were considered the most pragmatic figures in politics. Now, they're using their states to run ideological experiments.Microsoft Responds To Fan Outcry, Changes Xbox One Policies
Microsoft has changed policies regarding Internet connection and used game capabilities for its upcoming Xbox One gaming console. The company says it is responding to feedback from consumers.Leave a Comment
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