I was taking my child to first day of school. He is seven and my daughter is nine. I passed a cop on the way. My son who was strapped in by his buckle took the shoulder strap off(not the seat belt) but the shoulder strap he took off his shoulder and put under his arm. He leaned forward to open the window to say hi to the cop. The cop pulled me over and said my son wasn't buckled. I told him he was and exactly what happened and he said that that was not what he saw and gave me a ticket to appear in court. A violation ticket. I don't think this was fair. My son was still buckled and had always been buckled. Am I wrong, what should I do. I have a perfect driving record and I am worried this will ruin it. I have never had to do this before and don't even know what the fine is going to be. I really can't afford it either. My son now says he doesn't like police men now. I told him that they are good and only doing their job, but this one I think was wrong. Welll..........?
2006-08-07 15:02:35 · 3 answers · asked by OnlyHis 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
The cop is technically correct. The belt must be over the shoulder, not under the arm. Wearing a belt like that can cause serious injury in the event of a wreck, especially to a child. If your son can't wear the regular belt comfortably (and most 7-year olds can't) then you need to use a booster seat. That will raise him up to a more adult height where the belt will lay properly and comfortably across his shoulder.
Your best bet is to try and explain this to the judge. Tell him your son had just slipped the belt under his arm, against your instructions, when the cop saw him. With a tad bit of luck the judge will be in a good mood and give you a by on this one.
2006-08-07 15:13:40 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well a seat belt ticket is not a moving violation so it wont affect your driving record. unless you were driving a single cab pickup then your son should have been in the rear seat either way he was not properly restrained so you were at fault
2006-08-07 22:20:13 · answer #2 · answered by southernstranger2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your son was not properly restrained.
It is your responsibility to make sure that he is at all times.
Pay the fine.
Don't let it happen again.
2006-08-07 22:13:36 · answer #3 · answered by newt_peabody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋