Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake City, revived her controversial-but-popular legislation just days after she publicly discussed withdrawing Senate Bill 109 because of weak support in the House. On Tuesday, the Senate transportation committee voted 4-1 to send the bill to the full Senate, where Hale expects lively debate.

This is Hale's third attempt at making it a ticketable offense for those 19 and older to drive unbuckled. Utah currently has a secondary seat belt law for that age group, allowing law enforcement to write a ticket only if another offense is being enforced. The state has a primary seat belt law for those under the age of 19.

The Senate passed Hale's bill last year, but House leadership killed it.

Hale said she decided to go forward because of the encouragement of some representatives in the House, but she is not sure if the bill will have enough new support to pass.

A Salt Lake Tribune poll taken earlier this month showed two of three Utahns support a seat belt law.

Hale told lawmakers Tuesday that 85 percent of Utahns already buckle up, according to a visual survey conducted in the six most populous counties. She said the number for rural communities is somewhat lower.

The senator who cast the dissenting vote during the committee meeting says he shares the view of constituents.

"This has become a rural-versus-urban issue," said Sen. Scott K. Jenkins, R-Plain City. "Do we need government to tell us we have to be better than 85 percent?"

He said he voted against the bill because he looks at it as "more government intervention."

Rolayne Fairclough, representing the American Automobile Association of Utah, says that argument fails, since the lengthy motor vehicle code requires drivers to follow hundreds of rules, such as when to stop, how to turn and how fast they can go.

"There is no other instance in your life when you are so dependant on others obeying the rules," she said.

Hale said wearing a seat belt is not a "personal rights issue," since accidents affect more than just the person injured or killed, including the family, friends, employer and taxpayers.

Passing the law could bring in more federal money to Utah as well, Hale said. The federal government plans to provide states with primary seat belt laws with a new grant once Congress passes the transportation reauthorization act. The act is expected to be debated this congressional session.