| | |
Passenger Restraint Law
Colorado law requires the driver and all front seat passengers to wear safety belts whenever the vehicle is operated on a public highway in the state. The requirement does not apply if federal law does not require the vehicle to be equipped with safety belt systems. An example would be vehicles that were manufactured before the federal requirement (i.e., prior to the 1968 model year). The fact that seat belts were removed from a vehicle sometime after it was manufactured does not exempt anyone from the law if seat belts were original equipment in the vehicle.
There is also an exemption for individuals with a physically or psychologically disabling condition when such disability would prevent the use of a safety belt. In order to be eligible for that exemption, a person must have a written statement from a physician. The statement must certify the disability and state the reason why use of a restraint is inappropriate.
The adult seat belt law is a secondary violation in Colorado. That means that a police officer cannot stop a vehicle if that is the only observed violation. Some other law must be violated in order for the officer to make a traffic stop. Once stopped for another violation, a driver may then be cited for a violation of the seat belt law if applicable.
Child Passenger Restraint Law
In Colorado all children who are under the age of 4 and/or weigh less than 40 pounds are required to be in an approved child safety seat when being transported in a private passenger vehicle or in a vehicle being operated by a child care center.
Children between the ages of four and 16 must be wearing a safety belt in front and rear seats.
Unlike the adult safety belt law, the child restraint law is a primary violation. A vehicle may be stopped solely for such a violation if observed by an officer.
Colorado does not currently have a motorcycle helmet law.
|
|
         
|
|
