(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. An infant or child passenger restraint system that meets the federal standards as set by 49 C.F.R. § 571.213.
PASSENGER CAR. This term means VEHICLE, as defined in 47 O.S. § 1102, except that PASSENGER CAR shall not include trucks, truck tractors, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles or vehicles used primarily for farm use and licensed pursuant to the provisions of 47 O.S. § 1134. For purposes of this definition, TRUCKS shall not include pickup trucks.
(B) Mandatory use of seat belts; exceptions; penalty.
(1) Use required. 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 federal motor vehicle safety standard 49 C.F.R. § 571.208.
(2) Exceptions. This division (B) shall not apply to:
(a) An operator or passenger of a passenger car in which the operator or passenger possesses a written verification from a physician licensed in this state that he or she is unable to wear a safety belt system for medical reasons;
(b) An operator of a motor vehicle who is a route carrier of the U.S. Postal Service; or
(c) Any passenger vehicle which was manufactured or assembled before the 1966 models, unless such vehicle is now equipped with a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.
(3) Enforcement restriction. No law enforcement officer shall make routine stops of motorists for the purpose of enforcing this division (B).
(4) Penalty. Any person convicted of violating this division (B) shall be punished by a fine and court costs not exceeding $20.
(C) Mandatory use of child passenger system; exceptions; penalty.
(1) Driver responsibility. Every driver, when transporting a child under eight years of age in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this city, shall provide for the protection of said child by properly using a child passenger restraint system as follows:
(a) A child under four years of age shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system. The child passenger restraint system shall be rear-facing until the child reaches two years of age or until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the rear-facing child passenger restraint system as allowed by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system, whichever occurs first; and
(b) A child at least four years of age but younger than eight years of age, if not taller than four feet nine inches in height, shall be properly secured in either a child passenger restraint system or child booster seat.
(2) Use required. If a child is eight years of age or is taller than four feet nine inches in height, a seat belt properly secured to the vehicle shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of this section.
(3) Exceptions. The provisions of this division (C) 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;
(d) The transportation of children who for medical reasons are unable to be placed in such devices, provided there is written documentation from a physician of such medical reason; or
(e) The transportation of a child who weighs more than 40 pounds and who is being transported in the back seat of a vehicle while wearing only a lap safety belt when the back seat of the vehicle is not equipped with combination lap and shoulder safety belts, or when the combination lap and shoulder safety belts in the back seat are being used by other children who weigh more than 40 pounds. Provided, however, for purposes of this division (C), back seat shall include all seats located behind the front seat of a vehicle operated by a licensed child care facility or church. Provided further, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a child has met the weight requirements of this division (C) if at the request of any law enforcement officer, the licensed child care facility or church provides the officer with a written statement verified by the parent or legal guardian that the child weighs more than 40 pounds.
(4) Violations; evidentiary restrictions; penalties.
(a) A violation of the provisions of this division (C) shall be admissible as evidence in any civil action or proceeding for damages unless the plaintiff in such action or proceeding is a child under 16 years of age.
(b) In any action brought by or on behalf of an infant for personal injuries or wrongful death sustained in a motor vehicle collision, the failure of any person to have the infant properly restrained in accordance with the provisions of this section shall not be used in aggravation or mitigation of damages.
(c) A person who is certified as a child passenger safety technician and who in good faith provides inspection, adjustment or educational services regarding child passenger restraint systems shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in providing such services, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
(d) Any person convicted of violating divisions (C)(1) and (C)(2) of this section shall be punished by a fine of $50 and shall pay all court costs thereof. This fine and costs shall be suspended in the case of the first offense upon proof of purchase or acquisition by loan of a child passenger restraint system. Provided, the State Department of Public Safety shall not assess points to the driving record of any person convicted of a violation of this division (C).
(Prior Code, § 6-2-16) (Ord. 560, passed 6-2-1987)