§ 70-856. Use of safety belts.

(a)

As used in this section, the term "motor vehicle" means every motor vehicle designed for carrying ten persons or less and used for the transportation of persons; except that, the term "motor vehicle" shall not include motorcycles, motorized bicycles and motor tricycles.

(b)

Each driver and all front seat passengers of a motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968 while being operated on a street or highway in this city shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt that meets federal National Highway, Transportation and Safety Act requirements. This section shall not apply to persons employed by the United States Postal Service while performing duties for that federal agency which require the operator to service postal boxes from their vehicles. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to persons who have a medical reason for failing to have a seat belt fastened about their body, nor shall the provisions of this section be applicable to persons while operating or riding a motor vehicle being used in agricultural work-related activities.

(c)

Each driver of a motor vehicle transporting a child less than 16 years of age, shall secure the child in a properly adjusted and fastened restraint as defined and required under section 70-857.

(d)

Except as otherwise provided for in section 70-857, every person who violates this section, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50.00.

(e)

If there are more persons than there are seat belts in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, then the passengers who are unable to wear seat belts shall sit in the area behind the front seat of the motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is designed only for a front-seated area. The passenger or passengers occupying a seat location referred to in this subsection is not in violation of this section. This subsection shall not apply to passengers who are accompanying a driver of a motor vehicle who has been issued an intermediate driver's license under RSMo § 302.178.

(Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.324; Ord. No. 58036, 1-23-87; Ord. No. 990152, § A, 2-18-99; Ord. No. 080824, § 1, 10-2-08; Ord. No. 130276, § 1, 4-18-13)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo 307.178.