Two state laws involving motorist safety are now in effect. As of June 9, a new primary seat belt law gives police the right to stop motorists who aren’t wearing seat belts. Previously, officers could only pull drivers over for a different offense first.

The other new law, which went into effect July 1, requires children who are under the age of 8 or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall to be in a child safety seat or booster seat when riding in an automobile. Under the old law, a child who reached age 4 had no legal obligation to use any type of child restraint as long as the seat belt was used.

Driving can be dangerous even on a dry, summer day because any time cars are sailing at speeds in excess of 70 mph, there’s a chance for tragedy.

It’s a no-brainer that seat belts save lives, and according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, since 1991, 86 percent of children involved in crashes and who were properly restrained were not injured.

These two laws are welcomed steps in tightening up vehicle safety and are both good for Minnesota.

— Austin Daily Herald, July 2