Seat Belt Laws

(1)  When a passenger motor vehicle is operated in forward motion on a public road, street or highways within this state, every operator, every front-seat passenger and every child who is at least four (4) years of age but under eight (8) years of age, regardless of the seat that such child occupies, shall wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system, required to be installed in the vehicle when manufactured pursuant to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. Children under the age of four (4) years shall be protected as required by Sections 63-7-301 through 63-7-313. 

 (2)  "Passenger motor vehicle" for purposes of this chapter means a motor vehicle designed to carry fifteen (15) or fewer passengers, including the driver, but does not include motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles or trailers. 

 (3)  This section shall not apply to: 

•  (a) Vehicles which may be registered for "farm" use, including "implements of husbandry" as defined in Section 63-21-5(d), and "farm tractors" as defined in Section 63-3-105(a); 
  
•  (b) An operator or passenger possessing a written verification from a licensed physician that he is unable to wear a safety belt system for medical reasons; 
  
•  (c) A passenger car operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States postal Service or by a utility meter reader while on duty; or 
  
•  (d) Buses. 

 Sources: Laws,  1990, ch. 436, § 1; Laws,  1998, ch. 501, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1998.

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