POLICY PURPOSE:

The County of Lackawanna Transit System is dedicated to the safety of our passengers, our drivers, and the general public. As such, wearing a seat belt is the best defense against injury in the event of a crash. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Statute, Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4581, all occupants in a motor vehicle must wear a seatbelt. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not require passengers to utilize seat belts in transit buses. 

Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation 49 C.F.R. 38.23(d)(7) requires a seatbelt and shoulder harness to be provided as part of the wheelchair securement system, unless specifically exempt due to safety regulations. 

PROCEDURE:

County of Lackawanna Transit System Employees: 

All COLTS employees are required to wear safety belts while in operation of any COLTS vehicle, including employees operating COLTS’ non-revenue vehicles, and all occupants of the same vehicles. Proper use includes wearing the shoulder belt that is a part of manufacturer’s seat belt assembly.

Pursuant to the COLTS Employee Handbook, employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 

Passengers: 

Passengers riding in Fixed Route buses do not need to employ a safety belt pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. 

COLTS requires seat belts for all Shared Ride passengers regardless of age, disability, or location in the vehicle. Each passenger must have his/her safety belt securely fastened before the vehicle will be permitted to move. Passengers seated in wheelchairs will be secured utilizing an approved seven-point restraint system.  Passengers will be denied transportation services, if they choose not to abide by the Seat Belt Policy. 

Children under four (4) years old and/or weighing under forty (40) pounds must be properly restrained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in an approved child safety seat, which meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Children between the ages of 4 years old, weighing more than forty (40) pounds, and eight (8) years old must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. 

Parents will be responsible for providing a proper child restraint seat, must safely insert the child restraint system in a passenger seat, and must also secure the child in the restraint seat prior to departure. The operator will not move the vehicle until the steps above are properly taken. 

EXCEPTIONS:

If the seatbelt is not long enough to be secured, seatbelt belt extensions are available. If the extension does not correct the situation, the passenger will not be required to wear a seatbelt. The driver should document that the seatbelt could not be safely secured. 

Passengers who indicate that they have a medical condition that prohibits the safe use of a seatbelt will not be required to wear a seatbelt. The driver should document that the seatbelt could not be safely utilized. The driver will also instruct the passenger to contact Customer Service Representative to request an exemption from this policy. The passenger will be required to provide written documentation from a health care provider certifying the medical condition prohibits the use of a seatbelt, should harness, car seat, or booster seat. 

Upon approval, the Customer Service Representative will submit the information for future trips. Operators should not ask the passenger to provide the disability or medical condition that prevents the use of a seatbelt. 

DISCLAIMER:

This policy is subject to and contingent upon change to the local, state, and/or federal laws.

Translation and information on this policy can be provided to you in a variety of accessible languages and formats including, but not limited to CD, Audio Tape, Braille, or large print. If you need any translation or information in another language or format, please contact Keri Savage at KSavage@coltsbus.com

Si necesita información en otro idioma, por favor llame al 570-346-2061, extensión 1263