Seat Belt Use

Defendant appealed the decision of the Appeals Panel sustaining the violation of R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-22-22(g) (no seat belt – operator). The District Court held that even if the operator had the waist strap fastened, he was still in violation of the statute because he did not have the requisite letter from a physician excusing him from wearing the shoulder strap for physical or medical reasons as the statute required. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the Appeals Panel.

State of Rhode Island v. Jorge Rivera, A.A. No. 2013 – 127 (March 25, 2014).pdf