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FEBRUARY 25, 2013

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

MAKING IT CLICK

LIVES ON THE LINE

The primary problem

Motorists in Virginia can be fined for failing to buckle up only if they are ticketed for another offense. The penalty is a mere $25. Seat-belt advocates are calling for a tougher law forcing motorists to buckle up.

Justices to revisit part of voting act

Changes to parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 could affect Virginia and other Southern states.
McClatchy-Tribune

WASHINGTON The Justice Department stayed silent when Indiana and Washington state strengthened their voter identification rules. But when Georgia, Virginia and Texas lawmakers wanted to do the same, they needed federal approval. Now, this different treatment for different states will face a make-or-break test at the Supreme Court. In a potentially landmark case, justices will consider Wednesday whether its time to dismantle a key plank of the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act. Passed when state-sanctioned racism was at its most insidious, the Voting Rights Act contains multiple elements designed to root out discriminatory practices. The entire law, originally spanning 19 sections, is not at risk of repeal in the case being heard Wednesday. Instead, the case arising out of Shelby County, Ala.,
See COURT, 12

Officer Donnie Cromer gathers information after stopping a driver for a moving traffic violation in Christiansburg. During special DMV-funded patrols by Christiansburg police, officers stop drivers for traffic offenses generally and snag plenty of the unbelted.
By Michael Sluss mike.sluss@roanoke.com 981-3373

CHRISTINA OCONNOR | Special to The Roanoke Times

ICHMOND In the winter of 2003, advocates fighting for primary enforcement of Virginias seat belt law had a long-sought victory in their grasp. Both Republican-controlled houses of the Gene r a l A s s e m b l y SECOND OF passed legislation THREE PARTS that would allow police to ticket a Sunday: Seat belts driver or passenger often skipped on for not wearing a rural Va. roads seat belt, even if no other traffic offense Tuesday: Despite took place. When safety education, the bill squeaked young still dying through a sharply Online: Visit divided House of roanoke.com Delegates, Vir- to leave your ginias Democratcomments, watch ic governor was video, read previous poised to celebrate a major legislative coverage and vote in todays poll. victory. But one day after the House passed the bill, three Republican delegates switched their votes and killed the legislation, preventing it from getting to then-Gov. Mark Warners desk. No primary
See LAWMAKERS, 4

For Christiansburg, seat belt safety is a cause

Police say a town campaign has changed the culture of seat belt use.
By Jeff Sturgeon jeff.sturgeon@roanoke.com 981-1661

President George W. Bush signs legislation extending the Voting Rights Act for 25 years.

Associateed Press | File 2006

On a recent morning, Christiansburg police Officer Donnie Cromer was patrolling on overtime paid for by a seat belt safety grant when he spotted a concern near New River Valley Mall. The handle of an infant seat was sticking up in the rear of a car, a potential sign of improper installation. But as Cromer positioned himself to get a closer look, the driver turned right from the through-lane of westbound Peppers Ferry Road onto northbound Franklin Street. Cromer stopped the motorist for the turn. When he got to the drivers window,

Cromer spied another problem. Neither the driver nor her front-seat companion was wearing a seat belt. Out of Cromers ticket book came two seat belt tickets, one for each adult. The driver got a warning for the turn and a child seat issue. A ticket for not wearing a seat belt may appear to be a mundane event, particularly when its a secondary offense punishable only when a driver is stopped for another possible offense. But Christiansburg police say the gains from seat belt stings are extraordinary. At last count, the belting rate in the town was running about 10 points higher than the state average. The departments leadership says everySee CHRISTIANSBURG, 5

90 new donts suggested by medical group

The current question is what not to do because it is wasteful or has side effects, an expert said.
By Anne-Kathrin Gerstlauer McClatchy-Tribune

SEAT BELT USE IN 2011

89.1%states average rate of use in

with primary enforcement

with secondary enforcement

81.5%states average rate of use in

81.8% average rate of

use in Virginia

RULES STRICTER ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Seat belt laws are stricter on federal roads than on state roads. Case in point: Seat belts are required in the front and back seat of vehicles for all ages on the Blue Ridge Parkways many miles in Virginia. The National Park Service enforces the law as a primary offense, meaning a driver can be pulled over for any belt violation observed. The fine is $25 for front-seat violations and $10 for rear-seat violations.

WASHINGTON Doctors should avoid 90 medical procedures that are performed regularly but often cost too much or do little good, according to a new list of expert recommendations. The ABIM Foundation said it released its medical donts to help doctors and patients choose wisely and reduce health care costs. Some examples: Physicians shouldnt use feeding tubes for patients with advanced dementia or automatically order CT scans to evaluate childrens minor head injuries. More is not always better, said Daniel Wolfson, the executive vice president of the foundation, which is affiliated with the American Board of Internal Medicine. The current question is what not to do because it is wasteful or has side effects. The nonprofit American Board of
See MEDICAL, 12

NATION & WORLD

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VIRGINIA

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Parties point fingers over impending budget cuts

Coin collectors, dealers gather in Salem to add to their collections

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