§ 31-5-1303 — Child safety restraint system; required use; exception

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this
section, no person shall operate a passenger vehicle in this
state unless each child who is a passenger in that vehicle and
who has not reached his ninth birthday is properly secured in a
child safety restraint system in a seat of the vehicle other
than the front seat, except if the vehicle is only equipped with
one (1) row of seats, or if all safety belts in the rows of
seats behind the front seat are in use by other child passengers
in the vehicle, the child may be properly secured in a child
safety restraint system in the front passenger seat of the
vehicle, except that a rear-facing infant seat shall not be
placed in front of an active airbag.
(b) Any child who is within the age requirements specified
in subsection (a) of this section need not be properly secured
in a child safety restraint system if:
(i) A licensed physician has determined that the
weight or physical or medical condition of the child requires
that the child not be secured in such a system. The person
operating a passenger vehicle transporting such a child shall
carry in the vehicle the physician's signed statement certifying
that the child should not be secured in a child restraint
system;
(ii) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 86, § 2.
(iii) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 86, § 2.
(iv) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 86, § 2.
(v) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 86, § 2.
(vi) The driver of the vehicle is rendering aid or
assistance to the child or his parent or guardian;
(vii) The lap and shoulder belts of the vehicle will
fit properly across the collarbone, chest and hips of the child
and the belts do not pose a danger to the neck, face or
abdominal area of the child in the event of a crash or sudden
stop.