389.3 Safety Belt Law

Created by: Pat Teague on 2/6/1999
Category: 3 - Business Affairs; 80 - Service/Travel
 
Originator: Director of Public Safety
Current File: 389.3
Adoption Date: 12/14/1998
Reviewed for Currency: 2/11/2003
 
Replaces File: 389.3
Date of Origin: 9/12/1990
 
Classification:
 
In Archive? No

389.3 Safety Belt Law

 

A. Background

Motor vehicle accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one killer of children and young adults. The probability of being involved in a motor vehicle injury accident during a person's lifetime is greater than 80 percent. Approximately 60 percent of those killed or injured would have been saved from serious harm had they been wearing safety belts.

 

B. Policy

Furman University will comply with all provisions of the South Carolina Safety Belt Law in use of university vehicles on or off campus.

 

C. Guidelines

1. The driver and front seat passenger(s) must wear a safety belt. Back seat passenger(s) must buckle up only if shoulder harnesses are provided. Safety belts shall comply with all provisions of federal law.

2. The driver is responsible for ensuring that each occupant over six and under seventeen years of age wears a safety belt. Children under six must be properly restrained as provided by the child restraint law.

3. The law carries a ten ($10) dollar fine which may be enforced only after a driver has been cited for another violation. No person may be fined more than twenty ($20) dollars for any one incident and no points may be assessed.

4. Safety belt violations may be issued in conjunction with a drivers license or registration check conducted at a checkpoint established to stop all drivers.

5. The safety belt law does not apply to the following:

    • individuals who have written verification from a physician that they are unable to wear a safety belt;
    • medical or rescue personnel attending to the injured or sick in an emergency vehicle;
    • school, church, or day care buses;
    • public transportation vehicles, except taxis;
    • occupants of vehicles in parades;
    • United States mail carriers;
    • an occupant for whom no safety belt is available because all other belts are in use; and
    • the driver or occupant of a vehicle engaged in frequent pick-ups or deliveries.

6. Golf carts which exceed 15 mph are required by law to have and use seat belts.

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