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 Michigan
has had a mandatory safety belt law since 1985. However, law enforcement
officers could only enforce the law as a secondary action. That means the driver
had to be pulled over for another violation - speeding, for example - before a
seat belt ticket could be written. In 1999, Governor John Engler signed Public
Act 29, the Primary (standard) enforcement law, that strengthens Michigan’s
safety belt law and allows police officers to stop a vehicle if they observe the
driver or front seat passenger not wearing a safety belt, or not properly
restraining a child. This new Primary (standard) safety belt law took effect on
March 10, 2000.
NEW PROVISIONS:
- The law allows police officers to stop a motorist solely for not wearing
a safety belt in the front seat of a vehicle.
- The law allows police officers to stop a motorist if a child age 4
through 15 is not properly restrained, no matter where they are riding in a
vehicle.
- The law improves child passenger protection by requiring all children
under the age of 4 to be properly restrained in an approved child safety
seat.
| Law before March 10, 2000 |
New Law (after March 10, 2000) |
| Children under the age of 4 must be
secured in a child safety seat in the front seat. Children over the
age of 1 can use a safety belt in the rear seat. (Standard
Enforcement) |
Children under the age of 4 must be
secured in a child safety seat in all seating positions. Primary
(Standard Enforcement) |
| All children ages 4 through 15 must be
belted in the front and rear seat. (Secondary Enforcement) |
All children ages 4 through 15 must be
belted in the front and rear seat. Primary (Standard Enforcement) |
| The driver and all front seat
passengers must wear safety belts. (Secondary Enforcement) |
The driver and all front seat
passengers must wear safety belts. Primary (Standard Enforcement) |
| A vehicle can be stopped if an officer
observes an unbelted adult occupant only if the vehicle is stopped
for some other infraction, for example, speeding. |
A vehicle can be stopped if an officer
observes an unbelted front-seat occupant as identified above.
Primary (Standard Enforcement) |
Primary (Standard) Safety Belt Enforcement
Implementation Statewide Initiatives
Extensive efforts are underway to publicize the revised safety belt law
through the "Click it or Ticket" campaign.
- On March 8, 2000, media events will be held in Detroit, Lansing, Grand
Rapids, and Ishpeming to kick off the March 10 effective date of the new
law. A brief presentation will be made, then a birthday party will take
place to celebrate the 100 lives that will be saved due to Primary
(standard) enforcement. Events will take place at the Michigan Historical
Center in Lansing, Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit, Van Andel Arena in Grand
Rapids, and Da Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming.
- In March 2000, gas pump toppers detailing the campaign logo, "Click it
or Ticket. A new law you can live with." and static window stickers will be
delivered to more than 5,000 gas stations at the request of the Service
Station Dealers, Automotive Petroleum Industries (API), and Michigan
Petroleum Association.
- Beginning in March 2000, new road signs depicting the campaign logo will
be erected at rest areas and welcome centers by the Michigan Dept. of
Transportation.
- In March and April 2000, public service announcements for radio and
television air in both English and Spanish at select stations around the
state.
- Beginning in February 2000, a milk-carton ad that reminds people of the
new law and its impact will be placed on Melody Farms cartons. The ad will
also run during March and April.
- Also beginning in February 2000, billboards detailing the "Click it or
Ticket" logo will be placed along the roadways in Michigan.
- In February 2000, messages about the upcoming new law will be displayed
on electronic message boards in the Detroit area by the Michigan Department
of Transportation
- In November 1999, a telephone survey was conducted to determine public
perception about the implementation of Primary (standard) enforcement. The
survey findings show that nearly 90 percent are aware of the new safety belt
law. The survey also found that 60% of the respondents approved of the
change in the law. Another survey will be conducted in the fall of 2000.
- On October 19, 1999 a statewide media campaign took place that announced
the campaign theme to publicize the new law in Michigan. News events were
held in Lansing, Detroit and Marquette. The press conferences let the public
know a message has been developed that will educate those who are not
currently buckling up about the change in the law. "Click it or Ticket. A
new law you can live with." encourages all motorists to buckle up now so
that the change in the law this March will not impact them.
A number of materials have been developed for distribution. They include:
- A two-sided flier detailing the child passenger provisions of the law.
- A poster detailing the child passenger provisions of the law
- A two-sided palm card detailing the safety belt law for the general
public. On the reverse side is a static cling window sticker that contains
the "Click it or Ticket" logo.
- In addition, a poster and 2-sided brochure were created to meet the
specific needs of Wayne County.
These materials will be available to the public after March 15, 2000. To
order any of these items, please call the Michigan Resource Center at (800)
626-4636.
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