Exempt from Seat-Belt Law ???

[CTR man]

While driving and delivering a newspaper route in my hometown about 7:00 am I was asked to pull over by one of our local motorcycle officers. I was at the intersection of a busy street and a side street. I am on the side street at a stop sign. The officer had pulled up beside me to my right and noticed that I didn't have my seat-belt on. He proceeded to give me the customary seat-belt lecture with a on his face. I figured that I was about to get cited for not wearing a seat-belt. He then gave me permission to continue through the intersection and ordered me to put my belt on and pull over. Before putting my belt on I had to move some newspapers off of my lap. He saw me do this and asked if I was throwing a newspaper route. I replied "Yes, Sir." His expression turned to and he replied "Just because you are exempt doesn't mean that you can't be safe." He then left the intersection.

My Question is Why am I exempt from this law? I fully expected to sign on the dotted line, press hard and make five copies . I would have gladly paid the ticket. BTW I usually go no faster than 15 mph while delivering newspapers.

[WHC166]

My Question is Why am I exempt from this law?

All states I've lived and worked in had exemptions for paper delivery persons. Since some get out of the car alot I guess.

[Centurion44]

In GA if you were on a delivery route you are exempt.

[PhilipCal]

Exempt from seat belt law.

Alabama exempts you from seat belt use for the following reasons. Rural mail carrier. Holding a medical excuse,signed by a physician. Delivering newspapers, either as a rider or driver. Operating a motor vehicle manufactured prior to 1965,and,get this one, operating a vehicle designed to travel backwards.

[Puget Sound]

Alabama exempts you from seat belt use for the following reasons. Rural mail carrier. Holding a medical excuse,signed by a physician. Delivering newspapers, either as a rider or driver. Operating a motor vehicle manufactured prior to 1965,and,get this one, operating a vehicle designed to travel backwards.

Hahahaha, like just about any car out there?

Please enlighten me though, for those that know. What do they mean by a vehicle designed to travel backwards?

Also, are LEOs not exempt? I know a lot that don't wear a seatbelt on duty. Are they not exempt just because there's no way in hell they'd ever get a ticket on duty anyway?

[Centurion44]

Also, are LEOs not exempt? I know a lot that don't wear a seatbelt on duty. Are they not exempt just because there's no way in hell they'd ever get a ticket on duty anyway?

In GA, emergency vehicles are exempt. However many department SOPs require the officer use a seatbelt unless to do otherwise wouldn't be prudent or safe.

[Bodie]

Delivery drivers who enter and exit vehicle frequently are exempt. Just tossing papers from moving car would not be. Next officer may cite.

There are also medical exemptions signed by dr's.

[Lucky Seven]

While driving and delivering a newspaper route in my hometown about 7:00 am I was asked to pull over by one of our local motorcycle officers. I was at the intersection of a busy street and a side street. I am on the side street at a stop sign. The officer had pulled up beside me to my right and noticed that I didn't have my seat-belt on. He proceeded to give me the customary seat-belt lecture with a on his face. I figured that I was about to get cited for not wearing a seat-belt. He then gave me permission to continue through the intersection and ordered me to put my belt on and pull over. Before putting my belt on I had to move some newspapers off of my lap. He saw me do this and asked if I was throwing a newspaper route. I replied "Yes, Sir." His expression turned to and he replied "Just because you are exempt doesn't mean that you can't be safe." He then left the intersection.

My Question is Why am I exempt from this law? I fully expected to sign on the dotted line, press hard and make five copies . I would have gladly paid the ticket. BTW I usually go no faster than 15 mph while delivering newspapers.

CTR Man,

You are exempt from the provisions of 27315 cvc under 27315 (M) cvc.

The exemption is only valid while you are on the route and in the process of deliverying papers.

[CTR man]

CTR Man,

You are exempt from the provisions of 27315 cvc under 27315 (M) cvc.

The exemption is only valid while you are on the route and in the process of deliverying papers.

Thanks for all the responses and especially Lucky Seven for the corresponding codes. I do get out of the car a lot to porch papers that I can't make from the car. My routes hold about 350 subscribers and I porch 75% to 80%.

Incidently I also asked a LEO that I have befriended and lives on one of my routes. His response was " Only Emergency Vehicles, UPS, Fed Ex, and Mail Carriers. The latter of the three b/c they're federal. Local LE may cut me a break as a matter of policy. ". I can see where some LEO's may choose not to wear for reasons of needing to make a quick exit out of the vehicle and not to get the seat belt tangled up with their sidearm. I wanted something a little more concrete.

I always wear the seatbelt otherwise because its the law and when I was young and stupid I totalled a car into the back end of a parked Semi tractor-trailer rig. I diverted my attention. Rig was also not supposed to be parked where it was and I do believe he was cited. I very well could have gone through the windshield if not for the belt. The only physical damage to me was a mild concussion. This was enough to scare me into wearing it all the time. It is only in the last seven years that I have been doing paper routes and it seemed like a bother to put on and take off belt all the time. I usually start the routes at 4:00am when there is no other traffic.

[PhilipCal]

Seat Belt Laws

For Puget Sound, Only thing that comes to mind is a paving machine or something in that line.

[Puget Sound]

For Puget Sound, Only thing that comes to mind is a paving machine or something in that line.

Ah, good point. Steam roller as well... Other construction vehicles I'd imagine... Fork lift...

[CTR man]

Depends upon the forklift. Most are not used on public roads, though. Sit-downs, at least where I work, are all equiped with seatbelts as per OSHA standards. It is mandatory that the driver wear the seatbelt while using the forklift. Stand-ups obviously don't use them. Stand-ups that use a platform that raises the driver and a pallet up several stories use a safety harness similar to what one would use for mountain climbing or bungee-cord jumping in case one were to fall off the platform while it is raised. These type of forklifts are used in order picking where one only needs a few cases instead of a whole pallet of merchandise. I work in a warehouse that ships and receives freight, for the military, all over the world.

Does that make me some kind of federal employee??? Hmmmmmm