The Waterloo Police Department enforcement initiative for the month of August is the enforcement of the seat belt and child restraint device laws.

In a motor vehicle crash, seat belts or restraints keep you where you are proven to be the safest, inside your vehicle. This means the vehicle, not you, takes the force of the crash. Even in a crash involving fire or submersion (less than ½ of one percent of all serious accidents) seat belts keep you conscious so you can unbuckle your seat belt and escape quickly.

Iowa law requires the following:Daniel J. Trelka

-The driver and front-seat occupants are to be properly restrained with a safety belt any time the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway.

-A child under one year of age and weighing less than 20 lbs. being transported in a motor vehicle, except a school bus or motorcycle, is to be secured during transit in a rear-facing child restraint system used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

-A child under six years of age who weighs 20 lbs. or more being transported in a motor vehicle, except a school bus or motorcycle, is to be secured during transit by a child restraint system used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

-A child at least six years of age, but under 18, is to be secured in a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

A person convicted of violating the safety belt law is guilty of a simple misdemeanor with a fine cost of at least $127.50. 

A person convicted of violating the child restraint device law is guilty of a simple misdemeanor with a fine cost of at least $195.

Daniel J. Trelka 

Director of Safety Services