09 LC 29 3553

House Bill 22

By: Representatives Oliver of the 83rd, Manning of the 32nd, Hugley of the 133rd, Stephens of the 164th, Abrams of the 84th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 40-8-76.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so as to require the use of safety belts in all passenger vehicles, including pickup trucks; to require the use of safety belts by occupants in the rear seats of a passenger vehicle; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 40-8-76.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, is amended by revising subsections (a) and (b) as follows: "(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'passenger vehicle' means every motor vehicle designed to carry ten passengers or less fewer and used for the transportation of persons but shall not mean pickup trucks, motorcycles, motor driven cycles, or vehicles equipped for off-road use, provided that the term 'passenger vehicle' includes any sport utility vehicle and also includes pickup trucks for any occupant who is under 18 years of age.

(b) Each occupant of the front seat and rear seats of a passenger vehicle shall, while such passenger vehicle is being operated on a public road, street, or highway of this state, be restrained by a seat safety belt approved under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208.

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.