THE ILLINOIS SAFETY BELT LAW

 

Revised April 1, 2002

 

REQUIREMENTS:

 

Each driver and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt; except that, a child less than 16 years of age shall be protected as required pursuant to the Child Passenger Protection Act.

 

Each driver under the age of 18 years and each of the driver’s passengers under the age of 18 years of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt.

 

Each driver of a motor vehicle transporting a child 6 years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age, in the front seat of the motor vehicle shall secure the child in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt.

 

EXEMPTIONS:

 

• A driver or passenger frequently stopping and leaving the vehicle or delivering property from the vehicle, if the speed of the vehicle between stops does not exceed 15 miles per hour.
• A driver or passenger possessing a written statement from a physician that such person is unable, for medical or physical reasons, to wear a seat safety belt.
• A driver or passenger possessing an official certificate or license endorsement issued by the appropriate agency in another state or country indicating that the driver is unable for medical, physical, or other valid reason to wear a seat safety belt.
• A driver operating a motor vehicle in reverse.
• A motor vehicle with a model year prior to 1965.
• A motorcycle or motor driven cycle.
• A motorized pedalcycle.
• A motor vehicle which is not required to be equipped with seat safety belts under federal law.
• A motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing duties as a rural letter carrier.

 

VIOLATIONS:

 

Failure to wear a seat safety belt in violation of this Section shall not be considered evidence of negligence, shall not limit the liability of an insurer, and shall not diminish any recovery for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or operation of motor vehicle.

 

A violation of this Section shall be a petty offense and subject to a fine not to exceed $25.

 

No motor vehicle, or driver or passenger of such vehicle, shall be stopped or searched by any law enforcement officer solely on the basis of a violation or suspected violation of this Section.

 

SOURCE: Illinois Compiled Statues, Chapter 625, Act 5, Section 12-603.1.