Thursday begins a new fiscal year, and with it comes new laws. As of July 1st all children 17 years of age and under must wear a seatbelt no matter where they are riding in a motor vehicle. Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada says this is a change from the current law which regulates seatbelt use in the backseat for children 11 and younger. Losada says in addition to those riding in the backseat this will also prohibit kids and teenagers from riding in the bed of a pickup truck. The fine for seatbelt violations will also increase July 1st and those who do not comply will be subject to fines and court costs of nearly $145.

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