(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PASSENGER CAR. Every motor vehicle designed for carrying ten persons or less and used for the transportation of persons, except that the term PASSENGER CAR shall not include motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motor tricycles, and trucks with a licensed gross weight of 12,000 pounds or more.
TRUCK. A motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained for the transportation of property.
(B) Each driver, except 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, or which require frequent entry into and exit from their vehicles, and front seat passengers of a passenger car manufactured after January 1, 1968, operated on a street or highway in the city, and persons less than 18 years of age operating or riding in a truck, as defined in division (A) above, on a street or highway of this city shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt that meets the requirements of the Federal National Highway, Transportation, and Safety Act, being 23 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq.; except that, a child less than four years of age shall be protected as required in § 78.28. No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance with this division (B). 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. Non-compliance with this division (B) shall not constitute probable cause for violation of any other provision of law.
(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 under RSMo. § 307.179.
(D) If there are more persons than there are seat belts in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, then the driver and passengers are not in violation of this section.
(Prior Code, § 380.160) Penalty, see § 10.99