While the Massachusetts Seat Belt law was passed on December 8th, 1993, the Anniversary date for this bill should really be seen as 6/15/1992.

As Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, I was the legislator that led the effort to pass the Seat Belt Law in 1993.  But the origins of that bill occurred some 25 years ago, on June 15th, when I survived a bad accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

I had previously opposed the law on the grounds that I felt it represented an unwarranted intrusion by goverment on a person's individual rights. After being involved in an accident on the turnpike, traveling at 65 mph, I came to see the law as a reasonable requirement that state government could require of individuals that sought the right to operate a motor vehicle on a public way.

I was coming home from the Statehouse, with my aide, Leon Gaumond, Jr., who was driving. I had my seat reclined and had closed my eyes for a moment, my seatbelt securely buckled in place, but unfortunately, Leon, was not wearing his seatbelt. As we came over the rise of a hill, the harsh setting sun hit Leon in the eyes, temporarily blinding him. The car momentarily came off the highway pavement, caught the edge of the grassy median strip, and sent the car into a violent 180 degree spin.

The accident jarred me awake, but I was unhurt, and quickly unbuckled
myself and got out of the car.  Leon, was not as fortunate, as his left
arm went through the side window severely lacerating his arm, glass
cutting into a major artery, shearing some tendons.

It was a long ride to Bay State Hospital in the back of the ambulance, and I remember  making that call my wife had always told me that she dreaded receiving, 'Hi honey, I wanted to let you know, we got into an accident on the Turnpike.  I'm OK, but Leon's hurt. Can you meet me at the hospital?’

I'll never forget the look of horror on her face when she came to the hospital to find me standing in a bloodsoaked shirt and suit. She didn't calm down until I told her that I was fine, and that the blood was not mine, it was Leon's.

It was then, that I realized, that one little act  of putting on your
seat belt, could save families from the devastating heartache of death
or serious injury.

The Seat Belt law, which had previously passed in 1985, was repealed in 1986, again passed the Legislature in December of 1993. The legislation was vetoed by Governor William Weld, but the Legislature overrode his veto on January 4th, 1994.

In my 20 years in the Massachusetts House, I can't think of a single bill that I worked on, that has had more impact on people's lives!   

Happy Anniversary, Leon!


Paul E. Caron
East Longmeadow