A. Seat Belts Required:
1. Every operator and front seat passenger of a passenger car operated in the city shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system, required to be installed in the motor vehicle when manufactured pursuant to 49 CFR section 571.208. For the purposes of this section, "passenger car" shall mean "vehicle" as defined in 47 Oklahoma Statutes section 1102. "Passenger car" shall include the passenger compartment of pickups, vans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles. "Passenger cars" shall not include trucks, truck tractors, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, or motorized bicycles. "Passenger car" shall not include a vehicle used primarily for farm use which is registered and licensed pursuant to the provisions of 47 Oklahoma Statutes section 1134.
2. This subsection shall not apply to:
a. Any person who possesses a written verification from a physician licensed in this state that the person is unable to wear a safety seat belt system for medical reasons. Provided, the issuance of such verification by a physician, in good faith, shall not give rise to, nor shall such physician thereby incur any liability whatsoever, in damages or otherwise, to any person injured by reason of such failure to wear a safety seat belt system.
b. This section shall not apply to an operator of a motor vehicle while performing official duties as a route carrier of the U.S. postal service.
3. Any person convicted of violating this subsection shall be punished up to the maximum allowed by state law, plus court costs. (1985 Code § 15-557; amd. 2003 Code)
B. Child Passenger Restraints Required:
1. Every driver, when transporting a child under four (4) years of age weighing sixty (60) pounds or less in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of the city, shall provide for the protection of said child by properly using a child passenger restraint system. For purposes of this subsection, "child passenger restraint system" means an infant or child passenger restraint system which meets the federal standards as set by 49 CFR section 571.213.
2. Children at least four (4) years of age but younger than thirteen (13) years of age shall be protected by use of a child passenger restraint system or a seat belt.
3. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to:
a. The driver of a school bus, taxicab, moped, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle not required to be equipped with safety belts pursuant to state or federal laws;
b. The driver of an ambulance or emergency vehicle;
c. The driver of a vehicle in which all of the seat belts are in use; or
d. The transportation of children who for medical reasons are unable to be placed in such devices.
4. Any person convicted of violating subsection B1 or B2 of this section shall be punished up to the maximum allowed by state law, plus court costs. This fine shall be suspended in the case of the first offense upon proof of purchase or acquisition by loan of a child passenger restraint system. (1985 Code § 15-558; amd. 2003 Code)