Occupant Protection - Seat Belt

Kentucky Seat Belt Law

Effective July 12, 2006, Kentucky's seat belt law became a "primary" or standard enforcement law. This means that law enforcement officers can now stop a vehicle solely for an occupant restraint violation. Previously, Kentucky's law only allowed officers to cite for this violation if some other violation initiated the traffic stop.

The new law resulted from House Bill 117, passed during the Kentucky General Assembly's 2006 regular legislative session.
 

In summary, Kentucky's seat belt law specifies the following:

• A person shall not operate a motor vehicle manufactured after 1981 on the public roadways of this state unless the driver and all passengers are wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt (unless the passenger is a child of 40 inches or less in height - see additional requirement below).

• If a person is unable to wear a seat belt for medical or physical reasons, they must have in their possession a written statement from a physician or licensed chiropractor.

• A conviction for a seat belt violation shall not be transmitted by the court to the Transportation Cabinet for inclusion on a person's driving history record.

• Any person who violates the provisions of Kentucky's seat belt law shall be fined an amount not to exceed thirty dollars ($30). This fine shall be subject to prepayment and shall not be subject to court costs.

• Law enforcement agencies shall be prohibited from erecting roadblocks for the sole purpose of checking for seat belt use violations.

Click here to go to Requirements of use of seat belts, child restraint systems, and child booster seats

What are Kentucky's Child Seat Laws?

• Any child under 40 inches tall must be in a child and/or infant seat.
• Any child, who is under seven years of age and is between 40 and 50 inches tall, must be in a booster seat.
• All children over seven years of age and over 50 inches tall must be secured in a seat belt.

Has Your Child's Car Seat Been Recalled?

If you would like to check on your child's car seat, follow these steps:

• Locate the manufacturer's name, date and model number on your car seat
• Go to www.carseat.org
• Click on the 'Recalls' link
• Click 'View' to see the recalled car seat list

Infant Seat Rear-Facing Convertible

These can be used for babies from birth to 20-22 pounds and less than 26 inches (check your car seat rating).

 

• NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in front of an air bag.
• Seat must face the rear of the vehicle.
• Harness straps should come through the slots in the back of the seat just below the level of your baby's shoulders.
• The seat should be reclined no more than a 45-degree angle. A rolled up towel may be used to help adjust the seat to the proper angle.
• Make sure the carrying handle is locked in the down position while in the car.
• Always keep harness straps snug so no more than one finger fits under it at the child's shoulder and fasten harness clip at armpit level.

Infant Seat Rear-Facing Convertible

These should be used for babies rear-facing who are 20 or more pounds AND one year of age and under.

 

• If your child reaches 20 pounds before turning one year old, you must make sure the car seat is rated up to 30-35 pounds when rear-facing.
• Do NOT place your child in a forward seat until at least 20 pounds and one year of age. A child younger than one does not have neck muscles strong enough to withstand a crash in a forward-facing seat.
• Keep harness straps snug and below shoulder level.

Check the label on your car seat to see its weight rating for your child now and for later growth.

Convertible

These seats can be adjusted to use by infants or toddlers. See previous for children under one year and 20 pounds.

 

• Use this seat forward-facing and upright for toddlers over age one and from 20-40 pounds.
• Harness straps should be snug and come through the uppermost slots in the back of the seat.
• Adjust car seat to upright position.

Toddler Car Seat/Belt Positioning Booster Seat

These seats are forward-facing only and are for children over one year and 20 pounds. They can be used up to 80 pounds.

Up to 40 pounds:

 

• Use the harness until your child is 40 pounds.
• Harness straps should be snug and come through the back of the seat above the shoulder.
• Booster seats with shields are never recommended. Remove the shield and follow the manufacture's directions.

Toddler Car Seat/Belt Positioning Booster Seat

Over 40 pounds:

One of the most common mistakes made is to place a child in a vehicle seat belt too early. Your child needs a booster seat if:

 

• The shoulder belt crosses your child's face or neck.
• If the lap belt rides up your child's stomach (this can cause serious stomach and spinal injuries in the event of a crash).
• If your child's legs do not bend over the seat naturally at the knee. (If your child's legs are not long enough for him or her to sit naturally, he or she may slouch down to be more comfortable. This can cause the lap belt to ride up the stomach.) Booster seats raise your child to a safe level so the lap and shoulder belt fits correctly.

Using a booster seat

 

• Harness should be removed and the seat should be used as a belt-positioning booster with the lap/shoulder belt.
• Booster seats with shields are never recommended. Remove the shield and follow the manufacture's directions.

Lap Belt

 

• If your car only has a lap belt in the back seat, you will need an 86-Y harness available by calling E-Z On Products Inc., (800) 323-6598 or visit http://www.ezonpro.com on the internet.

 

 

 

Seat Belt

For older children who are at least 4 feet, 6 inches tall and 80 pounds.

 

• Lap portion of the belt must go over the thighs.
• Shoulder portion of the belt must go over the shoulder, never the face or neck.
• Shoulder and lap belt adjusters are never recommended