[Adopted 7-25-2002 by Ord. No. 02-26; amended in its entirety 4-21-2011]
The Tribal Legislature has determined that the failure to use seat belts by persons driving vehicles within the exterior boundaries of the Menominee Indian Reservation has caused injuries due to accidents which were largely preventable. This article is enacted for safety reasons.
This article supercedes any other tribal law that relates to the use of seat belts.
A. 
All drivers of vehicles operating on Menominee Reservation public roads and passengers riding therein shall be required to fasten seat belts while the vehicle is moving.
B. 
Minor children are required to be safely, securely, and properly fastened while riding in a motor vehicle, and the driver is responsible for assuring the child or minor is in the proper restraint according to the age and weight guidelines, as indicated.
(1) 
Children less than one year old or less than 20 pounds must be in rear-facing child seats and in the back seat of the vehicle.
(2) 
Children ages one to four or between 20 and 40 pounds must be in a forward-facing child seat in the back seat of the vehicle.
(3) 
Children ages four to eight or between 40 and 80 pounds, and no more than four feet nine inches tall, must be in a booster seat.
(4) 
Children and minors ages eight through no more than 18 or at least 80 pounds or at least four feet nine inches tall must use safety belts.
(5) 
In vehicles such as pickup trucks with no rear seat, the guidelines shall remain the same except the child or minor must be in the passenger seat of the vehicle with the seat adjusted back from the dashboard as far as possible and the passenger air bag deactivated, if that option is available.
[Amended 12-19-2019 by Ord. No. 19-25]
Tribal police and any duly authorized tribal conservation officers are hereby ordered and directed to stop any vehicle in which drivers/passengers are not using seat belts. Failure to fasten seat belts shall result in a citation for the driver and any passengers for violation of this article.
Violation of this article shall result in the following penalties being assessed:
A. 
First offense, driver and passenger who fail to fasten own seat belts, each fined $50;
B. 
Second and subsequent offenses, driver and passenger who fail to fasten own seat belts, each fined $100;
C. 
First offense for driver who fails to fasten seat belt of a minor, $100; and
D. 
Second and subsequent offenses for driver who fails to fasten seat belt of a minor, $200.