South Carolina Bill Would Require Child Safety Seats And Belts On Motorcycles

South Carolina State Rep. Joseph Daning filed legislation that would demand a standard, rear-facing child safety seat to be used for motorcycle passengers from birth up to 1 year of age and lap and shoulder belts for children younger than 7 and weighing less than 80 lbs. “We take care of our children in cars, but they’re so unprotected on the back of motorcycles” said Daning.

Rep. Bill Taylor, called Daning’s proposal “government overreach” and said motorcyclists are a safety-conscious community. “The question is why do we need a law?. Who in their right mind would take a 1- or 2-year-old on a motorcycle and risk the safety of that child? I have been riding for decades and has never seen an baby placed on a motorcycle” said Taylor. When the issue was first raised, he suggested that the constituent concerns would be better handled by a family court judge instead of through legislation.