June 14, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- New Minnesota Seatbelt Law
Article provided by Neff Law Firm, P.A.
Visit us at
www.neff-law-firm.com
Minnesota has enacted a new primary seat belt law that may have caused concern in some quarters. The new law includes changes that would allow law enforcement officers to stop vehicles if the driver or any of the passengers are not wearing seat belts. Previously law enforcement officers could only issue a ticket for a seat belt violation if they had another reason to stop a vehicle such as a traffic offense or a crime.
One of the concerns voiced about the new seat belt law is whether it now requires the installation of seat belts on antique or older special interest passenger vehicles. Before the owner of an antique or older special interest passenger vehicle goes about surgically implanting seat belts, the new Minnesota law should be understood. Minnesota 2009 Session Laws enacting the primary seat belt law, as amended, appears to have left in place the seat belt exemption for vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1965. M.S. 169.686, Subdivision 2(6), provides an exemption for a person driving or riding in a passenger vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1965. While this new law does not appear to make installation of seat belts in passenger vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1965, mandatory, it does not eliminate the wisdom in considering electing where practicable the installation of seat belts as a safety precaution. Owners of passenger vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1965, that do not have seat belts installed may want to consider carrying with them a copy of the new law with the exemption and proof the vehicle was manufactured before January 1, 1965, in case he or she is stopped and there is an issue related to the seat belts.
Article provided by Neff Law Firm, P.A.
Visit us at
www.neff-law-firm.com---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
Read more Press Releases from PR Dept:
