Police say that is because the seat-belt law, which came into effect January 16, 2002, is currently under revision.
The hefty fines underwent heavy scrutiny some years ago and caused certain provisions of the Act to be revisited.
Nevertheless, Stephanie Rahming, deputy controller of the Road Traffic Department says it is law and authorities are still encouraging all drivers to wear their seat-belts.
“We are also advising parents to ensure that children are in the back seat, in a car seat and buckled up,” she said.
Since the introduction of the new seat-belt law, authorities have launched several “Buckle Up” Campaigns throughout the country; erecting billboards and strategic spots at advising motorists and their passengers to utilize their seat-belts during road checks.
With the law up for revision, residents were uncertain of the penalties and/or enforcement or even if it was still law.
However, Ms. Rahming points out, the seat-belt is one of the number one life-saving devices in a vehicle, adding that there is seemingly a recurring trend among motorists.
“I’m noticing a trend in Grand Bahama again where we see parents driving with children in their lap. This is very, very dangerous and unsafe,” said the deputy controller.
According to the seat-belt law, children under age must be in car seats. Older children in the back seat must ride with their seat-belt on.
The law prohibits any person from driving a motor vehicle, or permitting a person to ride as a passenger in that vehicle unless the person or their passenger is secured by a seat-belt.
Anyone found committing such an offence is liable to a summary conviction and fine of $300.
Any passenger other than the driver found not using his seat-belt is liable to a summary conviction and fine of $100.
Any passenger under the age of five should be secured in a child passenger seat.
Vehicles exempted from seat-belts are motor cycles, omni buses, trucks, except for front seat use by the driver and any other passenger sitting alongside the driver.
In the case of a truck with a double row of seats in the cab, the law stipulates that the first double row of seats should also have a seat-belt.
Cars manufactured before 1986 and trucks manufactured before 1972 vehicles that were not with the mandatory use of seat-belts are also exempted.
Any person who permits a child without a seat-belt or secured in a passenger seat is, by law, liable to a summary conviction and fine of $500.
Additionally, any person who sells, offers for sale or hires any motor vehicle which is required by the Act to have seat-belts will be fined $500 for the first offence and $1,000 for a second or subsequent offences.
Recommendations for a revision of the fines have been offered and forwarded to change the existing legislation.
To date, Ms. Rahming says she is not aware of any fines that have been levied since the seat-belt law came into effect.
As lawmakers make provisions to revise the current legislation, the deputy controller says the seat-belt law is still on the books and needs to be adhered to.
In that vein, she said adults still need to ensure that children in the back seats are in car seats or have a seat-belt on.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
