What are Kentucky’s seatbelt requirements?

Kentucky statute 189.125 requires every operator of an automobile or truck to use a seatbelt, but this requirement does not apply to motorcycles, farm equipment and buses. If you are transporting a child in your automobile or truck and that child is under 40 inches tall, they must be secured in a child seat. If the child is under 50 inches, they must be secured in a booster seat.

If you are injured in a car accident or truck accident and expert proof is presented that you would not have incurred your injuries had you been wearing a seatbelt, a jury has the right to not award you damages. This is called the seatbelt defense. Interestingly, Kentucky statute 189.125 prevents the use of the seatbelt defense if a child is not secured in a child seat or booster seat as described above. It also does not require passengers to use a seatbelt.