Wyoming Fatality Report: 25 Deaths

CHILD SAFETY

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research indicates that lap-shoulder belts are best, in every vehicle in which they haveChild Safety Children wearing seatbelts ever been introduced, reduce injuries and fatalities by 45%. *The Facts to Buckle Up America – Safety Belts and Teens 2003 Report, DOT HS 809 578.

Key Points for Child Restraint Law:

  • Child who has not reached his/her ninth birthday.
  • Applies to all drivers.
  • Applies to privately owned, leased or rented non-commercial passenger vehicles.
  • Child must be secured in vehicle seat other than front seat except in vehicles with one row of seats, or if all safety belts are in use by other child passengers.
  • Child in rear-facing infant seat shall not be placed in front of an active airbag.
  • Child must be properly secured in restraint and it must be properly installed, both as per manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Restraints must conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 for Child restraint systems.
  • Applies to residents and non-residents.
  • Primary Offense. Non-use or misuse are reasonable suspicion for stopping a vehicle to investigate a suspected violation.

 

Visitors to the State of Wyoming must adhere to the Wyoming law regarding seat belt usage and Child Restraint Laws.   Adults and children Child Safety Children wearing seatbeltsunder the age of 12 are required to wear seat belts but cannot be pulled over specifically for not wearing one (not a Primary Seat Belt Law).   All children under the age of 9 must be properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat (can be stopped by law enforcement and ticketed).

  • Misuse rate for child restraint use for year 2008 was 90% misuse through the use of the CPS (Child Passenger Safety) tracker which is a statewide compilation.