1214

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 288

(B)  UNLESS EACH OCCUPANT OF AN OUTBOARD FRONT SEAT OF A
MOTOR VEHICLE IS A PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS
THE PERSON AND EACH OUTBOARD FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT UNDER 16 YEARS
OLD ARE RESTRAINED BY A SEAT BELT OR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AS
PROVIDED IN § 22-412.2 OF THIS ARTICLE, A PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE
THE MOTOR VEHICLE.

(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)  A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PENALTIES UNDER THIS SECTION.

(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)  A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS NOT CONSIDERED A MOVING
VIOLATION FOR PURPOSES OF § 16-402 OF THIS ARTICLE.

(F) A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS NOT CONTRIBUTORY

NEGLIGENCE BUT MAY BE ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE IN THE TRIAL OF ANY
CIVIL ACTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES
TO BE AWARDED.

(F) (G) (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