Letter: The sheriff responds to call on seat belts
Recently, there have been comments in the Red Line section of your paper regarding the observation of deputy sheriffs not wearing seat belts. While I appreciate the callers’ interest in our officers’ safety, I think that it should be pointed out the operators of emergency vehicles, such as police, sheriff and CHP officers, are exempt from the seat belt law.
When the legislation mandating seat belt usage was passed, the Legislature correctly identified that there are times when law enforcement officers must exit their vehicles quickly, and exempted them from the requirement.
We do, however, recognize the safety value of seat belts, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Department does have a policy that requires their wearing. However, the policy is a flexible guideline, and deputies have the latitude to exercise their judgment as to circumstances that would warrant their not wearing the belt.
Once again, I compliment the caller for her observation and interest in traffic safety.
John Anderson,
Madera County sheriff
While I seldom agree with the Madera County SO, he’s absolutely right on this one. For those in doubt, please see the following;
“SECTION 1. Section 27315 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
(g) This section does not apply to a passenger or operator with a physically disabling condition or medical condition which would prevent appropriate restraint in a safety belt, if the condition is duly certified by a licensed physician and surgeon or by a licensed chiropractor who shall state the nature of the condition, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate.
(Below is the paragraph cited:)
This section also does not apply to a public employee, when in an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 165, or to any passenger in any seat behind the front seat of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 165 operated by the public employee, unless required by the agency employing the public employee.”
The entire thing is covered by “The Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Safety Act”.