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

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.

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.

Senate lawmakers voted May 20 to forward the bill to Gov. Phil Bredesen. It passed the House May 12.

The Senate added an amendment that prohibits insurance companies from getting out of paying an accident claim if the driver was not buckled in, The Tennessean reported.

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.