Governor Signs Seat Belt Law

Gov. George Deukmejian today signed a bill requiring Californians to buckle their seat belts beginning Jan. 1 and future California cars to have passive restraints such as air bags.

“Because I am convinced that this legislation will lead to the saving of lives of California motorists, I am signing the bill despite holding certain reservations about it,” the governor said. He said he was concerned about the part of the bill that would repeal it if the federal government rescinds a requirement that all cars have passive restraints by 1990.