(A) Every driver, when transporting a child under four years of age weighing 60 pounds or less in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets or highways of the state, shall provide for the protection of said child by properly using a child passenger restraint system. For purposes of this section, CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM means an infant or child passenger restraint system that meets the federal standards for crash-tested restraint systems as set by the United States Department of Transportation.
(B) Children four or five years of age shall be protected by use of a child passenger restraint system or a seat belt.
(C) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) A non-resident driver transporting a child in the state;
(2) 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;
(3) The driver of an ambulance or emergency vehicle;
(4) A driver of a vehicle if all of the seat belts in the vehicle are in use; and
(5) The transportation of children who for medical reasons are unable to be placed in such devices.
(D) A law enforcement officer is hereby authorized to stop a vehicle if it appears that the driver of the vehicle has violated the provisions of this section and to give an oral warning to said driver. The warning shall advise the driver of the possible danger to children resulting from the failure to install or use a child passenger restraint system or seat belts in the motor vehicle.
(E) A violation of the provisions of this section shall not be admissible as evidence in any civil action or proceeding for damages.
(F) 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.
(Ord. 99-2, passed 2-4-1999) Penalty, see § 70.99