The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that effective Jan. 1, drivers can be pulled over for simply not wearing a seat belt.

Under the previous seat belt law, not wearing a seat belt was considered a secondary offense. If a police officer pulled someone over for another infraction and found that the driver or the passengers were not wearing seat belts, the driver would be ticketed for more money than the original ticket was written for. Now, not wearing a seat belt is a primary offense, meaning drivers can be pulled over if a police officer sees them or their passengers not wearing seat belts.

This new law does not affect every driver on the road. Only motorists within the ages of 14 to 17 will be affected by this law. A driver in this age category can be pulled over if anybody in the car is not buckled up. These drivers can be given fines and court costs totaling $60.

On paper, it appears to make sense because car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, the National Transportation Committee reports.

The Topeka Capital Journal Editorial Staff reports a few problems with the new law. First of all, the police are not mind readers. They cannot tell how old someone is by simply looking at the driver in the car. Chances are, they can pull someone over for not wearing a seat belt, only to find out that the person is older than 17. It potentially wastes the time of the person who gets pulled over and the police officer.

The second problem found with this new law is that it only affects young people who cannot vote. Elected representatives and state officials who pressed for the law said they were taking action to safeguard younger and less experienced drivers. But in doing so, the law allows legislatures to crack down on seat belt usage without facing repercussions from the voters.

“I think it’s a good law. I think it should be mandatory for all people, instead of just those under 18, but I think it’s our responsibility as adults to protect young drivers,” school resource officer Chad Gay said.