Safety should drive Baker’s road bills

A series of road bills filed Monday by Gov. Charlie Baker received a pothole of a reception in some circles, over concerns about the measures’ further infringement on personal liberties.

The legislation address a host of issues, ranging from a crackdown on seat-belt violators to red-light cameras, to new bike-safety measures.

“This legislation includes important provisions to ensure that the rules of the road are followed and strict consequences if they’re not,” said Baker during his announcement at the Statehouse.

An initiative that provides for primary enforcement of seat-belt laws – allowing police to pull over motorists simply on suspicion they’re not buckled up – raised the most prominent red flag.

“It’s scary. It’s a bad idea,” said Chip Ford, executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation, a small-government, revenue-watchdog organization.

Currently, police can’t specifically stop motorists not wearing seat belts, but they can write citations for seatbelt scofflaws detained for other reasons.

Jeff Larason, the director of the state’s Highway Safety Division, noted that Massachusetts currently has one of the lowest rates of seat-belt usage in the country, ranking 46th out of the 50 states.

He added that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts saved 60 lives in Massachusetts in 2018 and that complete belting compliance would save an additional 45 lives a year.

“Over half of the people who are killed on our roads in Massachusetts are unbelted, and these are entirely preventable tragedies,” Larason said.

However, CLT’s Ford predicted a backlash from groups concerned about racial profiling in an atmosphere of heightened police scrutiny.

Baker’s legislation would also allow communities to employ red-light cameras for traffic enforcement, which Ford characterized as a “precursor” to insurance surcharges.

To assuage privacy concerns, according to Baker’s announcement, “cameras would be restricted to collecting photographs only upon a violation and only of the vehicle license plates. Violations would include running a red light and making an illegal turn on a red light.”

Baker’s bill also would allow communities to install no more than one red-light camera per 2,500 residents.

“It’s been shown in studies that red light cameras, which are used in over 300 communities across our country today, have been instrumental in reducing dangerous accidents and roadway deaths,” Lt. Gov. Kayrn Polito said.

Despite a dramatic drop in traffic amid the pandemic, Massachusetts saw 334 roadway deaths in 2020, which Baker said was “almost even” with the 336 deaths in 2019.

That suggests motorists saw the open roadways as an invitation to put the pedal to the metal.

But how often have you witnessed a motorist run a red light with no consequences? On purely publicsafety grounds, it could ultimately curb accidents – and save lives.

The bundle of bills also includes a provision that would build on Haley’s Law — a 2014 statute named after 20-year-old Haley Cremer who was struck and killed by a driver with a suspended license — to increase penalties for drivers who cause injuries when they’re driving with suspended licenses.

Another bill would require drivers to give bicyclists a 3foot buffer when passing. The law would also require drivers to proceed at a “reasonable” speed when passing a bicyclist or pedestrian when there’s no physical separation, like a designated bike lane.

In this racially sensitive climate, we can understand the trepidation around increased police interaction, and the potential downside that could result from enforcing a seat-belt law that exacts a $25 fine.

We believe Baker’s bills deserve a thorough review.

We’re certain the governor understands the legitimate concerns raised by various interests, and would be willing to seek a solution, from which should come targeted improvements free of unintended consequences.