Two bills in the West Virginia Legislature would permit police to pull over drivers for failure to wear a seat belt.

Under current law, police can issue seat-belt citations only if they stop drivers for another traffic violation.

HB2202, sponsored by Delegate Jody Smirl, R-Huntington, and SB91, sponsored by Sen. Michael Oliverio II, D-Westover, each call for permitting police to pull over drivers if they are not buckled up. Under the proposals, drivers found in violation could be fined $25.

Both bills are in their respective transportation committees.

If signed into law, the regulation would put the state in line for additional funding from the federal government.

An incentive program recently introduced in Congressencourages states to increase seat-belt enforcement. The program would give states three years to enact a primary seat-belt law or reach a rate of usage of at least 90 percent.

Failure to do one or the other would result in a loss of up to 4 percent of federal highway funds to the state.

West Virginia is one of about 30 states without a primary seat-belt law.