(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) (i) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is: 1. Registered or capable of being registered in this State as a Class A (passenger), Class E (truck), Class F (tractor), Class M (multipurpose), or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle; and 2. Required to be equipped with seat belts under federal motor vehicle safety standards contained in the Code of Federal Regulations. (ii) "Motor vehicle" does not include a Class L (historic) vehicle. (3) "Outboard front seat" means a front seat position that is adjacent to a door of a motor vehicle. (4) (i) "Seat belt" means a restraining device described under § 22-412 of this subtitle. (ii) "Seat belt" includes a combination seat belt-shoulder harness. (b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the person and each occupant under 16 years old are restrained by a seat belt or a child safety seat as provided in § 22-412.2 of this subtitle. (c) (1) The provisions of this subsection apply to a person who is at least 16 years old. (2) Unless a person is restrained by a seat belt, the person may not be a passenger in an outboard front seat of a motor vehicle. (3) (i) Unless a person is restrained by a seat belt, the person may not be a passenger in a rear seat of a motor vehicle. (ii) A police officer may enforce this paragraph only as a secondary action when the police officer detains a driver of a motor vehicle for a suspected violation of another provision of the Code. (d) If a physician licensed to practice medicine in this State determines and certifies in writing that use of a seat belt by a person would prevent appropriate restraint due to a person's physical disability or other medical reason, the provisions of this section do not apply to the person. (e) A certification under subsection (d) of this section shall state: (1) The nature of the physical disability; and (2) The reason that restraint by a seat belt is inappropriate. (f) The provisions of this section do not apply to U.S. Postal Service and contract carriers while delivering mail to local box routes. (g) A violation of this section is not considered a moving violation for purposes of § 16-402 of this article. (h) (1) Failure of an individual to use a seat belt in violation of this section may not: (i) Be considered evidence of negligence; (ii) Be considered evidence of contributory negligence; (iii) Limit liability of a party or an insurer; or (iv) Diminish recovery for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or operation of a motor vehicle. (2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection, a party, witness, or counsel may not make reference to a seat belt during a trial of a civil action that involves property damage, personal injury, or death if the damage, injury, or death is not related to the design, manufacture, installation, supplying, or repair of a seat belt. (3) (i) Nothing contained in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the right of a person to institute a civil action for damages against a dealer, manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or other appropriate entity arising out of an incident that involves a defectively installed or defectively operating seat belt. (ii) In a civil action in which 2 or more parties are named as joint tort-feasors, interpleaded as defendants, or impleaded as defendants, and 1 of the joint tort-feasors or defendants is not involved in the design, manufacture, installation, supplying, or repair of a seat belt, a court shall order separate trials to accomplish the ends of justice on a motion of any party. (i) The Administration and the Department of State Police shall establish prevention and education programs to encourage compliance with the provisions of this section. (j) The Administration shall include information on this State's experience with the provisions of this section in the annual evaluation report on the State's highway safety plan that this State submits to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. § 402. (k) Any person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to a fine of not more than $50.
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