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Last Updated: Thursday, May 14, 1998
Background
Highlights of state's mandatory safety belt use law
THE STATUTE: Louisiana Safety Belt Use Law (R.S. 32:295.1) -- Each driver and front seat passenger of a passenger car, van or truck having a gross weight of 6,000 pounds or less (commonly called a pickup truck) shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion. (Note: The law applies to those five years of age and older and does not apply to rear seat passengers.)
ACT 1037 (1997 Regular Session) -- Only two provisions of the law were changed in 1997:
1. Primary Enforcement -- The motorist can be stopped and a citation written whenever an officer observes an unbelted driver or front seat passenger. Previously, a citation could only be written after an officer stopped the vehicle for some other infraction.
2. Fine Structure -- Changed from a fine of $25 including court costs to:
a. First offense -- $25 including all court costs
b. Second offense -- $50 including all court costs
c. Third offense -- $50 plus all court costs
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RIDING IN REAR OF PICKUP TRUCK (R.S. 32:284) -- No person under the age of 12 year shall be permitted to be a passenger in the open bed of a pickup truck. First violation punishable by a fine of up to $175 and/or imprisonment of up to 30 days. Subsequent violations punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment of up to 90 days.