Budget Amendment ID: FY2012-S3-395

EPS 395

Primary seat belt enforcement

Ms. Jehlen and Mr. Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section 152, the following new Section:-

SECTION  153. Section 13A of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph in line 25 and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Any person who operates a motor vehicle without a safety belt, and any person 16 years of age or over who rides as a passenger in a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt in violation of this section, shall be subject to a fine of 50 dollars. Any operator of a motor vehicle shall be subject to an additional fine of 50 dollars for each person under the age of 16 and no younger than 12 who is a passenger in said motor vehicle and not wearing a safety belt. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies when an operator of a motor vehicle or passenger who rides in the motor vehicle is not wearing a safety belt in violation of motor vehicle laws. Safety belt violations will not result in surcharges on motor vehicle insurance premiums and a police officer may not search or inspect a motor vehicle, its contents, the driver, or a passenger solely because of a violation of this section. This act shall take effect on June 30, 2011.