The guy who has a better than fair shot at being the state’s next chief prosecutor made late Christmas wish on Twitter Tuesday. He wants the legislature to buckle down on seat belt violators.

George Brauchler, the south metro Denver district attorney running for attorney general, reacted to a Denver Post story about the state’s high death toll on the highways this year. The Democratic field includes former University of Colorado law school dean Phil Weiser, state Rep. Joe Salazar, Denver lawyer Brad Levin, Jefferson County deputy prosecutor Michael Dougherty and federal prosecutor Amy Padden.

He called on lawmakers to do what other states have done: allow cops to pull over a driver solely for not wearing a seatbelt. In Colorado, it’s a secondary offense, tacked on when law enforcement suspects another primary violation.

Brauchler is the lone Republican in the attorney general’s race, while a crowded Democratic fray plays out. Incumbent Cynthia Coffman, a Republican, is running for governor.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said Tuesday that the state has recorded 615 highway deaths so far this year, surpassing the 608 last year.

While a complete analysis of this year’s numbers will take some time, it’s evident there will be an uptick in deaths attributed to improper restraints, CDOT said.

The Governors Highway Safety Association said 34 states – plus the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands – have primary seat belt laws for front-seat occupants. Eighteen states, Washington and two territories include primary enforcement for rear seats, as well.

In Colorado a seat belt violation is a $65 minimum fine for first-offenders, and $82 for an unrestrained child.