Branson aldermen give initial approval – again – of seat belt law
BRANSON MO NEWS: A proposed change to Branson’s municipal code on seat belts made its way back to the Branson Board of Aldermen Tuesday after being voted down in December.If aldermen approve the change on a second reading, seat belt violations in Branson would change from a secondary offense to a primary offense, meaning a Branson police officer could initiate a traffic stop if they see a driver not wearing a seat belt.The change passed first reading Tuesday by a 4-3 vote with Aldermen Cris Bohinc, Bob Simmons and Mike Booth voting to approve the change, and aldermen Betsy Seay, Kevin McConnell and Rick Castillon voting against the measure. Because the aldermen’s votes were a 3-3 tie, Mayor Karen Best cast the tie-breaking vote in support of the change.
Both the aldermen and the mayor voted the same as they did the first time this measure appeared before them in December of 2017.According to City Administrator Stan Dobbins, the measure reappeared on Tuesday’s agenda from a request from aldermen due to the second reading occurring during a special session when Alderwoman Bohinc was absent. During the special session, the ordinance change failed to pass its second reading with a 3-2 vote against.“Members of the board requested it come back because of the way it occurred in December,” Dobbins said. “They wanted the opportunity to vote on it with the full board.”Branson Assistant Chief of Police Eric Schmitt presented the proposed change to the board Tuesday night. Schmitt said the issue was something both he and the department were passionate about from a safety perspective.“We’re asking for the tool to be able to enforce and educate this vital safety measure in the city,” Schmitt said.Referencing materials provided to the board, Schmitt said not wearing …
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