Governor to Support Bill on Buckling Up

Gov. George Deukmejian, decidedly cool to such proposals in the past, has agreed to support a measure that would require California motorists to use their seat belts, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The governor, although reluctant to thrust himself into a politically divisive debate over the merits of several competing measures moving through the Legislature, has indicated that he is “philosophically closest” to one of the bills that could help auto makers avoid mandatory air bags.

The controversy over air bags, the governor’s spokesman said, “is a federal issue that ultimately is going to be determined by the (U.S.) Department of Transportation.”

Deukmejian’s support of seat belt legislation could be a crucial factor in the debate. Although the concept of a mandatory seat belt law appears to have widespread public support, industry groups are divided over which of four measures to enact in California.

The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote on three of the four Tuesday. Committee members appear badly split among the bills and unsure whether there should be any law at all, heightening concern over a possible stalemate.

The committee chairman, Sen. John Foran (D-San Francisco), who is carrying the bill that Deukmejian appears to favor, insists that his only goal is to require motorists to buckle up.

But auto makers, who are supporting the measure with a high-spending campaign, believe it also will help them overturn a federal rule that requires air bags or automatic seat belts in all new cars by 1990. The requirement would be rescinded if states with two-thirds of the nation’s population enact seat belt laws that meet federal criteria.

Large segments of the insurance industry have lined up behind identical bills by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) and Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Chula Vista) that not only require seat belt use but would mandate air bags or other automatic restraints for all new cars sold in California. Another bill by Sen. Paul Carpenter (D-Cypress) appears to strike a middle ground.

Veto Had Been Feared

Lobbyists on both sides of the issue have expressed concern that Deukmejian might veto any seat belt bill because of strong reservations he has voiced in the past about imposing state government in an area he considers a matter of personal choice.

In recent weeks, however, the governor has come under increasing pressure from seat belt law supporters within his Administration. Among them is the state Office of Traffic Safety, which has gathered statistics showing a surge in usage of seat restraints for youngsters since the Legislature passed a law requiring restraints for children 4 years old and younger.

Officials in that office, however, have stressed that seat belts alone are not enough and should be used in combination with some kind of automatic restraint, such as an air bag.

Deddeh said he is not surprised by Deukmejian’s stance. But he conceded that it is likely to hurt his bill’s chances. “Obviously my bill is much more drastic than that of Sen. Foran and goes much further,” Deddeh said.

Letter of Support

In a press conference earlier in the day, Foran said he expects to receive a letter of support from the governor soon, adding that he is optimistic that his bill will win his committee’s support. “I anticipate at least one bill will get out,” he said, “and I’m hoping it’s my bill, obviously.”

Foran also used the occasion to release results of a survey conducted by an auto industry lobbying group that showed 51% of Californians in favor of seat belts and 38% in support of air bags.

The poll, based on telephone interviews last week with 1,000 California residents, showed support for air bags declining when cost figures were mentioned. Those surveyed, however, were not asked whether they would prefer a law requiring both seat belts and air bags.