Seat Belt Law in Michigan?

Question

The other day I was driving, in the city of Eastpointe, Michigan where I currently reside. I got a ticket for wearing my seatbelt under my arm. Now the seat belt was still across my chest and lap, just under my armpit area. I checked the Michigan law, and it says nothing about it being over your shoulder. Just wondering what I can do?

Answer 1

Bring that with you. Go to court and fight the ticket! Tell the public defender when you get there.  They may have mercy on you, or not convict you at all.

Answer 2

each operator and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this state shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt

This means that the seat belt MUST be worn how it was intended. Wearing the seat belt under the armpit can cause serious injuries to you. I know from personal experience what this can do and how much it can hurt.

Answer 3

Take a copy of the law with you to court with the correct section call out.  If you were wearing the seat belt, the officer must prove you broke the law. If you believe you were OK, then your only option is to go to court.

Regardless if you win or not (based on your information, you appear a winner for sure), understand seat belts were designed to over your shoulder to help save your life-no a fashion statement.  I understand the officer was being a bit of a butt head, but they normally let you go with a warning in that situation if you don't talk back, treat them with respect and have answer that doesn't insult their intelligence.  My answer would be something like-Thank you for the clarification Officer, I always do that, but in this case, I have been driving for a long time and the belt was cutting into my ... and for comfort and still thinking I was complying with the law and its intention, I kept the belt on in this position.  I have only x*x miles left and almost home.  

I would rather you pay the ticket and having that episode make you wear the seat belt in the future rather than you taking a facial on your steering wheel or front windshield and getting seriously hurt or killed.  If you can beat the ticket and them wear i as intended, the officer has done his job.  

A seat belt ticket is a cheap price for your life.  I have attached a copy of the law itself.  It just says you must wear a properly adjusted belt and not how to wear it.  You maybe able to win.  If you don't win, also ask for traffic school.  

Good luck