NEW LAWS ON HEAVY VEHICLES REQUIRE SEAT BELT USE, BAN LASER DETECTORS

EXCERPTS from NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Press Release
Albany, October 31, 1996

"Big rigs: buckle up!" That's the important message for drivers of heavy vehicles from new state laws which take effect tomorrow, November 1, according to Motor Vehicles Commissioner Richard E. Jackson, Jr. The laws require seat belt use in tractors and heavy trucks, and ban laser detectors in heavy tracks and certain other commercial vehicles.

When New York's seat belt and child safety seat use law took effect in 1985, tractors and trucks with a maximum gross weight of 18,000 pounds or more were exempted. Beginning tomorrow, the exemption is removed and occupants of tractors and heavy trucks must be protected by seat belts or federally-approved child safety seats as in other vehicles.

Radar detectors have been prohibited in motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of 18,000 pounds or more since August 19, 1990. Beginning tomorrow, the ban includes a laser detector, defined as "Any instrument designed to detect the presence of laser speed detection devices." In addition, the law extends the radar and laser detector ban to commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. The fine for a violation is $25 to $100. There is also a $25 state surcharge for each violation.