Adults would have to buckle up in New Hampshire or face a $25 fine under a mandatory seat belt bill approved by the House.
The House voted 169-151 Thursday to send the bill to the Senate where it faces a difficult test. The bill would make a violation a primary offense which would allow police to stop vehicles solely to enforce the law.
Lawmakers rejected a similar seat belt bill in 2007. Gov. John Lynch told the Associated Press last year that he doubted a primary law would increase seat belt usage.
New Hampshire is the only the state without a seat belt law for adults.
Passengers in large vehicles such as buses, drivers making frequent stops for work and passengers with certain medical conditions would be exempt.