Taxicab seat belt law unanimously approved by Nevada Assembly

Passengers in Nevada taxicabs would be required to wear seat belts, under a bill unanimously approved Monday by the state Assembly.

AB226 would require passengers 18 and older to wear seat belts. Cabbies would have to post signs telling passengers of the law.

Not wearing seat belts would be considered a secondary offense punishable by a $25 fine. Passengers couldn't be fined unless the cab was stopped by police for a driving offense and the officer saw they weren't belted.

The bill by Assemblyman John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, now goes to the Senate, which must approve it before it can become law.

Oceguera said the purpose of a cab is to take passengers safely to their destination, and he wants to make those rides safe. He added all Las Vegas cab companies support the proposal.

"If only one life is saved, it is worth it," Oceguera said.