Police would be permitted to pull over drivers who are not buckled up under a bill approved by the Tennessee House last week.

Currently, police can issue seat-belt citations to drivers older than age 17 only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.

However, such violations are a primary offense for anyone 17 and younger who is not belted.

House lawmakers voted 68-30 May 12 to forward the bill to the Senate for further consideration.

Under HB3104, sponsored by Rep. John Hood, D-Murfreesboro, drivers found in violation would be fined $10. No points would be assessed against the driver’s license.

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

An incentive program under consideration 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. In Tennessee, that would mean $15 million, The Tennessean reported.