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 twenty-five dollars ($25). 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 http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/125.pdf, to see the KRS

Kentucky Child Restraint Law

Any driver of a motor vehicle, when transporting a child of forty (40) inches in height or less in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, and highways of this state, shall have the child properly secured in a child restraint system of a type meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Any person who violates the provisions of Kentucky's Child Restraint Law shall be fined fifty dollars ($50).

Click here to learn more about Child Safety Restraints

How to Wear a Seat Belt

In addition to the law, safety experts recommend the following guidelines to keep motorists as safe as possible:

 

ADULTS

Always wear lap belt low and snug.

Always wear shoulder belt snug across chest, never across face or throat .

Keep back of vehicle seat in upright position.

 

CHILDREN

All children should stay in child seat until their weight reaches 40 Lbs.

Use approved booster seat after child reaches 40Lbs. and continue use of booster seat until the seat belt fits properly.
 

 

PREGNANT WOMEN

Wear lap belt below abdomen.

Wear shoulder belt across chest.

If your seat belt is too short, consult auto dealer for seat belt extender.