A new Tennessee law that takes effect today permits law enforcement officers throughout the state to pull over drivers who are not buckled up.

Gov. Phil Bredesen signed the new law, previously HB3104, June 7.

In the past, officers had been allowed to issue seat-belt citations to drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.

Drivers found in violation of the new order will be fined $10. No points will be assessed against their driver’s licenses.

The legislation’s sponsor, Rep. John Hood, D-Murfreesboro, told The Oak Ridger, “My primary interest in this is that it will save lives.” Hood said Tennessee would see an estimated 81 lives saved the first full year the law is enforced.

The new regulation also could put the state in line for additional funding from the federal government.

An incentive program under consideration in Congress encourages 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. In Tennessee, that would mean $15 million.