skidmark
05-16-2007, 10:39 PM
Seatbelt Rule Changes
You have probably heard that the cost of a seatbelt ticket is going up once again. It will rise from $138 to $167 for those who haven't learned that buckling up is the best way to avoid injury and death in a crash. I suppose from their point of view the silver lining to that black cloud is that there are still no penalty points associated to a conviction.
In past some parents would try to protect two children with one seatbelt in order to carry more passengers. Little did they realize that in a serious collision, the children could slap together with such force that they would injure each other. This is now specifically prohibited. One seat, one occupant.
Let's carry that thought a bit further. If you don't have a seat installed by the vehicle manufacturer in which to carry a passenger, you cannot carry that passenger. If you choose to, you as the driver will face a ticket for $311.
Are you an employer, vehicle owner or carrier? Reach deep into your pocket and hold onto your wallet. New offences such as removing a seatbelt, having an ineffective seatbelt, adding more seats than the vehicle was manufactured with or having more people than seats in a vehicle operated on a highway will cost you $598.
Of course, these people are also liable to their own "regular" seatbelt ticket too.
Some exemptions in effect prior to these changes still exist. If the vehicle was originally manufactured without a seatbelt for a particular seating position, there is no need to have one today and a passenger may choose to sit there without penalty. Medical exemptions are still valid, and taxi and delivery drivers are still exempt under certain circumstances.
The new legislation is not available on line at this time. If you require more information, contact your local police.
Sorry, no reference links this week
You have probably heard that the cost of a seatbelt ticket is going up once again. It will rise from $138 to $167 for those who haven't learned that buckling up is the best way to avoid injury and death in a crash. I suppose from their point of view the silver lining to that black cloud is that there are still no penalty points associated to a conviction.
In past some parents would try to protect two children with one seatbelt in order to carry more passengers. Little did they realize that in a serious collision, the children could slap together with such force that they would injure each other. This is now specifically prohibited. One seat, one occupant.
Let's carry that thought a bit further. If you don't have a seat installed by the vehicle manufacturer in which to carry a passenger, you cannot carry that passenger. If you choose to, you as the driver will face a ticket for $311.
Are you an employer, vehicle owner or carrier? Reach deep into your pocket and hold onto your wallet. New offences such as removing a seatbelt, having an ineffective seatbelt, adding more seats than the vehicle was manufactured with or having more people than seats in a vehicle operated on a highway will cost you $598.
Of course, these people are also liable to their own "regular" seatbelt ticket too.
Some exemptions in effect prior to these changes still exist. If the vehicle was originally manufactured without a seatbelt for a particular seating position, there is no need to have one today and a passenger may choose to sit there without penalty. Medical exemptions are still valid, and taxi and delivery drivers are still exempt under certain circumstances.
The new legislation is not available on line at this time. If you require more information, contact your local police.
Sorry, no reference links this week