Federal seat belt law. Jan 15, 2024 · Stay updated on car seat laws in the USA.

Federal seat belt law. Who regulates car safety in the United States and who creates seatbelt Dec 17, 2024 · Passenger seat belt warnings will be required Though most vehicles manufactured in 2022 or later have passenger seat belt warnings, the new rule requires them. Updated: June, 2025 All 50 states + Washington, DC require seat belt use, except for New Hampshire. Some States use higher fines for first time offenders, the highest being a fine of $200 in Texas (IIHS, 2023b). However, these laws varied significantly, often applying only to front-seat occupants or being enforced as secondary laws (meaning drivers could only be ticketed for not wearing a seat belt if stopped for another violation). Children should always be buckled up or in a proper child restraint, and everyone should be buckled up for safety. 7A-304 (a) (4). , motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children. Dec 18, 2024 · A NEW safety law is set to change cars forever, with every automaker forced to install a feature in their vehicles. As of June 2023 a violation of the seat belt law resulted in a fine of $25 to $200 in the majority of States (IIHS, 2023b). Thanh rode in a rear passenger seat on the minivan’s aisle, which had only a lap-belt. — Sep 7, 2023 · The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21) directs NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. It is not guaranteed to be current and should be independently verified. 6 days ago · Primary enforcement laws allow police officers to pull over drivers and issue tickets just because the drivers or their passengers aren't wearing seat belts. Click to know more! According to federal law, commercial motor vehicle drivers and the passengers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles must wear a seat belt if a seat belt is installed. Seat belts save lives and help prevent serious injuries in a traffic crash. Jul 1, 2004 · Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. 2% in 2024. However, the use of seat belts remained voluntary until New York became the first state to mandate their use in 1984 Mar 14, 2025 · GAO reviewed the Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) new rule entitled "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection, Seat Belt Reminder Systems, Controls and Displays. [1] The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official legal print publication containing the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts have saved over 375,000 lives since 1975. May 17, 2024 · Supporters of seatbelt laws may be concerned not only with seatbelt laws affecting passenger cars but school buses and public transportation as well. — Congress finds that it is in the public interest for each State to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use laws and for the United States Government to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use regulations. New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Guide to New York's occupant restraint law. Dec 19, 2024 · In New Hampshire, only minors are legally required to buckle up. Sep 1, 2002 · Seat-Belt Laws Infringe a Person's Constitutional Rights On the promise of reducing highway fatalities and auto insurance rates, seat-belt laws began to pass in state legislatures throughout the United States beginning in 1985. Connecticut's motorcycle helmet law does not meet the federal requirements since it applies only to people up to 18 years old on motorcycles. Children under the age of four must ride in safety seats. No driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle, and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle, that has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver 's seat unless the driver is properly restrained by the seat belt assembly. An annual nationwide campaign that incorporates zero-tolerance enforcement of safety belt laws with public awareness efforts and the support of government agencies, local coalitions and school officials to increase seat belt usage. Jan 1, 2025 · The history of seatbelt laws is a fascinating one, and it's surprising to learn that they were not always widely accepted. Sep 3, 2010 · By authority of Section 406 of the law, the federal government will dole out more than $500 million over four years to states with "primary" seat-belt enforcement laws--laws that make it a crime Dec 17, 2024 · The NHTSA says seatbelts reduce the risk of fatality for rear-seat passengers by 55% in cars and 74% for SUVs, yet rear seatbelt use stands at about 81. Primary enforcement means you Oct 28, 2023 · Get everything you need to know about RV Seat Belt Laws. 208 and 571. Like cellphone laws there are two different types of enforcement for seat belt violations – Primary and Secondary. 210, Seat belt assembly anchorages. This standard applies to seat belt assemblies for use in passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses. These state laws address such issues as the type of seat belt required (lap or three-point), priority for allocation of seat belt-equipped school buses, liability of school bus operators, whether application of the law depends on the availability of funding, and other factors. Could the United States require such a lifetime warrany without Congress passing a special law? This raises an interesting legal quesiton. 208, "Occupant crash protection," to require a seat belt use Seat belt use by type of law in the US, 2008 In the United States, seat belt legislation varies by state. Sep 23, 2024 · The map above shows the current seat belt laws in the United Statas. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this state unless: (a) all back seat passengers of such vehicle under the age of four are restrained in a specially designed seat which meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C. 208 shall either: In general, strong occupant restraint use laws should be comprehensive and cover all seating positions equipped with a seat belt in all passenger vehicles (ACTS, 2001; NCUTLO, 2000; NHTSA, 2003). “The Gallup Apr 21, 1997 · By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Highway Safety Act of 1966, 23 U. Seat Belt Laws Commercial Motor Vehicle Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) Seat Belt (FMCSR 392-16) A commercial motor vehicle which has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver’s seat shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself/herself with the seat belt assembly. Adjustment hardware means any or all hardware designed for adjusting the size of a seat belt assembly to fit the user, including such hardware that may Seat belt laws by state mandate that all vehicle occupants, including children under a specific age, must wear seat belts both in the front and back seats. This is not the law. R. Apr 21, 2025 · 2024 New York Laws VAT - Vehicle and Traffic Title 7 - Rules of the Road Article 33 - Miscellaneous Rules 1229-C - Operation of Vehicles With Safety Seats and Safety Belts. In the United States, the first seat belt law was introduced in 1968, making it mandatory for all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts. While such laws had been proposed before 1985, they were rejected by most state legislators since they knew the vast majority of the people opposed them. Proper child Mar 21, 2024 · Learn about seat belt laws in you state and seat belt safety tips from eTags. Also included laws concerning age restrictions for motorcycle MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT) Act 300 of 1949 257. It also mandates that passengers under age seven must be fastened by a child restraint system—such as a booster seat—with specific rules spelled out by the federal government. Mar 10, 2024 · There is a rumor that federal law creates a lifetime warranty for seatbelts. Seat belt use is consistently higher in states with primary enforcement seat belt laws than in states with secondary enforcement seat belt laws. Seat Belt Law in New York State New York State law requires all passengers to wear seat belts. C. This law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Safety Standard, was the first seat belt law in the US. But this raises another question. Secondary seat belt laws state that law enforcement officers may issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when there is another citable traffic infraction Jan 2, 2025 · Seat belt laws are enforced by individual states in the US Seat belt laws in the US are enforced by individual states, with the exception of a federal law that took effect on January 1, 1968, requiring all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts. 208, “Occupant crash protection,” which previously required a seat belt warning only for the driver’s seat. Children under the age of 16 must wear seat belts when they are in the front seat or the back seat. 1 The U. was, indeed, a federal law. state child passenger safety laws, analyzing over-time changes and inter-state differences in all identifiable features of laws that plausibly influence crash-related morbidity and mortality. May 3, 2022 · The federal government provides millions of dollars in grants to states that enact laws promoting road safety, including if states meet certain thresholds for seat belt use. [9] Seat belts have been mandatory equipment since the 1968 model year per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. Congress is debating how to extend funding for the Highway Trust When did wearing a seatbelt become a law in the USA for the first time? Find out more about seatbelt law history in this straightforward guide! Mar 19, 2025 · Understand New Hampshire’s front seat law, including seat belt requirements, exceptions, penalties, and enforcement to stay informed and compliant. Policies affecting these modes of transportation is changing in many states which are moving towards the requirement that new buses feature seatbelts and that student passengers buckle up. Browse by state to see all of the laws that apply to your state. SUMMARY Connecticut's seat belt use law has not been specifically tested in state or federal courts, but similar laws in several other states have been so tested If you want to know the car seat laws height and weight, and age rules for each state, we also compile a list of all 50 US states so that you can know if the searched state focus on height and weight requirement or on age requirement. S1. F. Title 49 of the U. S3. Any amendments modifications national seat belt law shall enacted appropriate legislative processes. … Seat Belt Lifetime Warranty Federal Law Since 1984, it has been federal law in the United States that all passenger vehicles must be equipped with seat belts. New York State passed the first law in To increase seat belt usage, the federal government has been encouraging states to adopt stronger mandatory seat belt laws. (b) “Safety belt” means a seat belt assembly that meets the requirements established under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. Nov 30, 2024 · The history of seat belt legislation is a long and complex one, with varying laws and attitudes in different countries. Although the three-point seat belt had been around for nearly a decade, the law did not specify the need for any particular design. 4 The new law was intended to settle this confusion, however, and issue has For more resources, visit the main Child Safety web page. A booster seat can be used only with a lap and shoulder belt together. Balentine. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt, without any other traffic offense taking place. If all the combination lap and shoulder belt positions in the vehicle are already occupied by children using child safety seats or booster seats, a child who ordinarily would use a booster seat should be restrained using only the lap belt. Fazzalaro, Principal Analyst RE: Constitutionality of the Mandatory Seat Belt Use Law You asked if the constitutionality of Connecticut's mandatory seat belt use law has been tested in court. The final rule amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. The goal of these laws is to promote belt use and thereby reduce deaths and injuries in motor vehicle crashes. However, the first seat belt law was a federal law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Safety Standard, which took effect on January 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. As used in this section, the term "passenger car" means every motor vehicle designed for carrying ten persons or Jan 8, 2019 · This standard was originally made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and from 1 July 2021 continues in force as if it were a national road vehicle standard determined under section 12 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (see Schedule 3, Part 2, item 2 of the Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018). In 2023 there were 35 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that had primary seat belt laws in effect, enabling law enforcement officers to stop vehicles and write citations when they observed violations of the seat belt law. 213 and which is either permanently affixed or is affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt and which shall be rear-facing whenever the In 1991, federal law mandated that states enact seat belt usage laws or risk losing highway funding. In the US, the first seat belt law was a federal law that took effect on January 1, 1968, requiring all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts. In the US, the first federal law mandating all new cars be equipped with both lap and shoulder belts in the front seat was introduced in 1968. May 30, 2025 · Learn about the different seat belt laws in the United States and their impact on vehicle safety and accident prevention. Nine states that changed seatbelt laws from secondary to primary saw a 12%–18% increase in seatbelt use. 93 for complete regulations on seat belts. But it certainly has the means to put the pressure on. Vehicles Covered The seat belt law applies to all vehicles required by federal standards to have seat Nov 2, 2022 · The national seat belt law shall compliance relevant federal state statutes regulations pertaining motor vehicle safety. The history of seat belt legislation began with a federal requirement in 1968 for seat belts in vehicles, evolving to include three-point seat belts. 3. Apr 30, 2025 · By 2009, belt use rose to 88% in 30 states with primary seatbelt laws and 77% with weaker seatbelt laws. Jul 26, 2025 · 1. 710e Safety belt required; driver or passenger to which section inapplicable; transporting child 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age; use of lap belt for purpose of road construction or maintenance; enforcement of section; violation as evidence of negligence; reduction of recovery for damages; violation as civil infraction; reports Mar 26, 2008 · This statute amended the former seatbelt law. Seatbelt Laws in the United States Seatbelt laws vary throughout the US based on the enforcement and the people protected under the law. But what happens when your seat belt wears out or is damaged in an accident? Most seat belts are designed to Seat Belt Law – Summary (G. Read more on our main seat belt page and our child safety page. LAWS REQUIRING SEAT BELTS The Commentary series covers, on a selective basis, the development and status of state motor vehicle and traffic laws, particularly as they relate to provisions in the Uniform Vehicle Code. GAO Even with the increased federal regulation, seat belt usage was calculated at less than 15 percent of the driving public. | Seat Belt Tips. In states with secondary enforcement, police can only enforce the law if the motorist has been pulled over for another violation first. Despite this resistance Jun 18, 2025 · From new misdemeanors and felonies to stricter cybersafety laws, here are the new Virginia laws to keep an eye on next month. Sep 27, 2019 · The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 directs NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. Jul 9, 2013 · West Virginia Seat Belt Law A person may not operate a passenger vehicle on a public street or highway of this state unless the person, any passenger in the back seat under eighteen years of age, and any passenger in the front seat of the passenger vehicle is restrained by a safety belt meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Department of Transportation, through the National Colorado law requires the driver and every front seat passenger of a motor vehicle and the driver and every passenger in an autocycle equipped with a safety belt system to wear a seat belt whenever the vehicle is in operation on a street or highway. Purpose and scope. For instance, New York mandates all occupants wear seat belts, whereas Pennsylvania's law applies only to front-seat occupants aged 18 and over, with stricter rules for minors. Overview One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. The rule also updates and enhances the current seat belt warning requirements for the driver's seat belt and extends these May 21, 2025 · 1968 – Seat Belts Become Nationally Mandated The first federal law mandating all new cars be equipped with both lap and shoulder belts in the front seat is introduced. Fremont Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Dear Mr. Feb 11, 2025 · Maryland state seat belt law Maryland law requires all drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts. However, the battle for mandatory seat belt laws continued into the 1980s, with resistance from those who viewed it as a Feb 29, 2024 · The push for seat belt laws started gaining momentum in the 1960s. Jul 23, 2020 · With seat belts saving hundreds of thousands of lives each year, states and the federal government continue to push their use. (625 ILCS 5/12-603. New York was the first state to pass a law mandating the use of seat belts in 1984. Dec 16, 2024 · The current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 only requires a seat belt warning for the driver’s seat. This material has been prepared for general information purposes only. Jan 15, 2024 · Stay updated on car seat laws in the USA. This is why New York State requires seat belt use by adults in motor vehicles, and seat belts, booster seats, or child safety seats for children. 2 After the McIntyre decision, there was confusion among the trial courts as to whether the seat belt law still barred introduction of non-use. (c) “Restrained by a safety belt” means being restricted by an appropriately adjusted safety belt which is properly fastened at all times when a motor vehicle is in motion. 1, 1968. Jul 3, 2011 · Seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Dec 16, 2024 · NHTSA estimates this new rule will prevent more than 500 injuries and save about 50 lives every year, once fully implemented. Growth of State Laws: By the end of the 1980s, numerous states enacted their laws requiring seat belt use. See 49 CFR 393. Jan 3, 2025 · The history of seat belt legislation is a long and complex one, with laws varying by country and US state. Explore rear-facing and booster seat laws by state to keep your child safe. Additionally, all passengers under the age of 16 must wear seat belts, regardless of their seating position in the vehicle. Specifications may vary based on a vehicle’s model year. Application: Seat belt assemblies for use in passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses Primary enforcement seat belt use laws permit law enforcement officers to stop and cite a violator independent of any other traffic violation. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a push for mandatory seat belt laws at both the state and federal levels. " GAO found that the final rule (1) amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. As a result, many automakers installed separate lap and shoulder belts. Driver and passenger required to use safety belts, exceptions and penalty. Children less than age 16 are covered by the NC Child Passenger Safety law. The law requires all occupants of motor vehicles to wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion on public roads. Almost all states require buckling up, but the laws vary in where belts are required (front and/or back seat) and how they are enforced. §40-8-76. Seat Belt Requirements and Other Occupant Protection Standards for Buses: Information related to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for passenger vehicles Oct 10, 2024 · Seat belt and child restraint laws by state, in detail Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have primary enforcement. This standard specifies requirements for seat belt assemblies. 20-135. A. The observed Jul 1, 2004 · Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. Thanh’s family sued Mazda, claiming the decision to negligently install only a lap-belt in her seat led to her death. A law enforcement officer can issue a traffic ticket just for failure to wear a seat belt. Jul 16, 2014 · The federal government can't force states to comply with all of its whims. Feb 2, 1994 · Connecticut's seat belt law now appears to comply with the federal requirement, since PA 93-10 removed an exemption from the belt use law for people in air bag equipped vehicles. 208 or an autocycle, who is 18 years of age or older, shall have a safety belt properly Seat Belt Law Chart by State16121e-021424-v1a. Dec 26, 2023 · The Florida seat belt law serves as a beacon of road safety, emphasizing the critical need for all vehicle occupants, whether in the front or back seats, to adhere to seat belt requirements. 95 1/2, par. See full list on federalregister. Primary enforcement means you State seat belt use rate means the seat belt use rate for a State, rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent, after any required weighting, adjustment, or substitution under this part, that is used in determining eligibility for and the amount of an allocation under this part. Nov 30, 2021 · Federal seat belt laws focus on the manufacturers, not driver and passenger usage. Most seat belt laws in the United States are left to state law. Understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and The purpose of this standard is to ensure that the hardware of seat belt assemblies shall be designed to prevent attachment bolts and other parts from becoming disengaged from the vehicle while in service. You ask if vehicle manufacturers are required to provide a "lifetime" warranty for seat belts and seat belt assemblies and, if such a warranty is required Dec 17, 2024 · Previously, federal standards governing seatbelt warnings only required manufacturers to monitor the driver's seat, issuing a chime if its seatbelt was unbuckled when the vehicle was underway. May 1, 2010 · In general, commercial motor vehicles must be equipped with seats, seat belt assemblies, seat belt anchors, seat belt warning systems, and other specifications regulating occupant crash protection. 208, "Occupant crash protection," to require a seat belt use warning system for rear seats and enhance the seat belt warning requirements Updated: June, 2025 All 50 states + Washington, DC require seat belt use, except for New Hampshire. Aug 22, 2022 · Mandatory Seat Belt Laws For Rear Seat and Front Seat Passengers In The United States According to the United States federal law, all vehicles on American roads must have three-point restraint systems, except for buses. 1) (from Ch. Ages/Positions Covered All drivers and passengers age 16 and older must wear their seat belts in both the front and back seats. Without question, a safety belt is the most important in-cab safety device that will protect an occupant in the event of a sudden stop or crash. Feb 21, 2025 · While federal agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offer best practices for child passenger safety, each state has its own laws regarding rear-facing car seats, booster seats, and seat belt use. The first seat belt law was a federal law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Safety Standard, which took effect on January 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. Secondary enforcement laws allow law enforcement officers to cite violators only after they first have been stopped for some other traffic violation. 668, as amended, and in order to require that Federal employees use seat belts while Apr 11, 2025 · What does your state law say about car seats? Car seat laws by state: Updated 4/11/25 This is the most up to date and accurate list of state car seat laws. 1) Sec. Safety Belts In the U. 1 requires that each occupant of the front seat of a passenger vehicle, while such passenger vehicle is being operated on a public road, street, or highway of this state, be restrained by a seat safety belt approved under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b): (1) Each occupant of either a passenger car manufactured with safety belts in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. In certain states, these seat belt laws may only cover front-seat occupants, but seat belt laws in 26 states as well as the District of Columbia cover both front and rear-seat occupants. In the UK The Federal Government made it a requirement in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1984 that states started passing mandatory seat belt laws. Failure to comply with the seat belt law may result in fines. Mar 20, 2023 · In Missouri, seat belt laws are applied to all front-seat passengers in motor vehicles. Federal Code, Chapter 301, Motor and Safety Standard, was passed on Jan. Jan 1, 2025 · Seat belt laws in individual US states Seat belt laws in the United States vary from state to state. Buses, trucks and truck tractors manufactured on or after January 1, 1965, must be equipped with a seat belt assembly that complies with applicable standards. A State which qualifies for a grant under the second eligibility criterion above will receive an amount equal to the Federal savings due to any increase in the State seat belt use rate for the previous calendar year over the base seat belt use rate. Aug 31, 2020 · The 1980s battle over safety belt laws reflected widespread ambivalence over the role and value of government regulat Feb 23, 2025 · Understand New Jersey’s seat belt law, including requirements, penalties, and exceptions, to ensure compliance and improve road safety for all passengers. Jan 1, 2025 · New York was the first state to require the use of seat belts New York's seat belt law was the result of a broader campaign for improved auto safety. Facing this financial penalty, Virginia finally passed its first seat belt law in 1988, requiring front-seat occupants to wear seat belts. The aim of this paper is to conduct, using a unique data set, an empirical investigation of the effectiveness of mandatory seat belt laws in reducing traffic fatalities. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today issued a final rule requiring lap and shoulder seat belts for each passenger and driver seat on new motorcoaches and other large buses. A ticket can be issued to the driver who Aug 1, 2019 · WASHINGTON – The U. The first federal law requiring all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions was enacted in 1968, although riders were not required to use them. s. New York is a "primary enforcement" state. While the federal government required lap and shoulder belts in all new cars starting in 1968, the individual use of seat belts was left to state law. Apr 2, 2025 · A number of new laws are coming into effect from today (2 April, 2025) which will impact how you must use a car seat in your vehicle Feb 22, 2025 · Understand South Carolina’s seat belt laws, including requirements, penalties, exemptions, and enforcement to ensure compliance and avoid fines. Jul 22, 2025 · MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT) Act 300 of 1949 257. 208, 49 C. 178. Mar 18, 2024 · The federal seat belt law in the United States was enacted in 1968. 1 The old law incorporated the term "contributory negligence", before Tennessee's landmark decision of McIntyre v. The federal law will mandate rear passenger seatbelt alerts in all new vehicles. G. Definitions. The trial court dismissed the case asserting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 (FMVSS 208) preempted it. Low fines may not convince nonusers to buckle up and may also send a message that seat belt use laws are not taken seriously. The state of Wisconsin introduced legislation in 1961 requiring seat belts to be fitted to the front outboard seat positions of cars. This publication provides summary charts of the key provisions of State occupant protection and motorcycle laws, and detailed lists of these laws in every State. This is why New York State requires seat belt use by adults in motor vehicles, and seat belts, booster seats or child safety seats for children. Seat belt and child seat laws Seat belts and child restraints are essential safety equipment. This effort faced opposition from some state lawmakers and the Reagan administration, which favoured deregulation. We review each state’s car seat law statute every year. gov May 22, 2025 · Fatal crashes on America’s roadways continue to be a critical concern, and a major contributing factor is not wearing a seat belt. 208. The first seat belt law was a federal law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Safety Standard, which took effect on January 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. 2A) Full text of the law is available from the . This article examines the diffusion of U. Seat belts must be fastened properly when the vehicle is in motion, and the failure to comply with the stated seat belt laws can result in the issuance of jurisdictional summons and the imposition of fines and court costs. (e) Temporary Exemptions. Feb 21, 2023 · New Hampshire is the only state in America that does not mandate that adults use seat belts, but another attempt is underway at the State House to change that. Application. A child less than 8 years of age shall be protected as required pursuant to the Child NH child seat laws New Hampshire has a seatbelt law requiring those under 18 to wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a car. It was not until 1995 that every state, except New Hampshire, had mandatory seat belt-use laws. 12-603. Each minor eight years of age or older who is an occupant of a passenger vehicle shall, while such passenger vehicle is being operated on a public road, street, or highway of this state, be restrained by a seat safety belt approved under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. The same applies to rear-seat passengers in vehicles designed to accommodate them. The penalty for a seat belt or car seat violation is a fine of up to $50. Mr. 8-2503. However, it did Sep 1, 1993 · (d) Seat Belt Use Laws. View now. Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt – the national use rate was at 91. FMCSA is committed to supporting and protecting commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, which includes encouraging seat belt use among drivers and CMV occupants. Such laws include requiring the use of (1) seat belts, (2) child passenger restraint devices (child car seats and booster seats), and (3) motorcycle or bicycle helmets. 402 and 403, as amended, section 7902(c) of title 5, United States Code, and section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U. The bill, which went into effect on January 1, 1985, only A. 208, "Occupant crash protection," to require a seat belt use warning system for rear seats. Pursuant to this mandate Oct 13, 2021 · The first seat belt law passed in the U. Oct 17, 2020 · Most seat belt laws in the United States are left to the states and territories. William McAlister McAlister Electronics Service Center 926 E. S2. NHTSA and other partners have encouraged States to expand their child restraint laws to include “booster” provisions that cover children until they are big enough for the lap and shoulder belts to (e) Any driver or front seat passenger who fails to wear a seat belt as required by this section shall have committed an infraction and shall pay a penalty of twenty-five dollars and fifty cents ($25. All rear seat passengers 18 years of age or older of a passenger automobile operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system as defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 209. According to New Hampshire law, drivers and passengers who are 17 and below should wear a seat belt, and if the passengers are Jan 3, 2025 · Federal Rules: FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS; OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, SEAT BELT REMINDER SYSTEMS, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS | U. (a) Each driver and passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt. Jun 19, 2025 · In this article, our car accident lawyers will discuss state and federal seat belt laws, why every passenger should wear their seatbelt at all times, the consequences of not following the laws, and Indiana seat belt crash data. Same; wearing of seat belt required; exceptions; educational program; evaluation of effectiveness of act; enforcement. Read on to make sure you know the Florida safety belt law and important safety tips for children of all ages. New Hampshire is the only state with no law requiring adults to wear seat belts in a vehicle (those under 17 still have to). 7%. Jun 9, 2018 · Federal Seat Belt Laws On the federal level, two categories of safety belt enforcement exist for states to adopt: primary enforcement and secondary enforcement. Each front seat occupant of a motor vehicle that is designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers, that is manufactured for the model year 1972 and thereafter and that is required to be equipped with an integrated lap and shoulder belt or a lap belt pursuant to the federal motor vehicle safety standards prescribed in 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 571. All passenger motor vehicles are required to have adequate seat belts in every seat. 1. Feb 14, 2025 · This document delays until March 20, 2025, the effective date of the January 3, 2025, final rule that amended Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. Seat belts required for passenger cars — passenger cars defined — exceptions — failure to comply, effect on evidence and damages, admissible as evidence, when — penalty — passengers in car exceeding number of seat belts not violation for failure to use. The map above shows the standard fine for not wearing a seatbelt in each state. 1973 – The Seat Belt Apr 21, 2021 · However, the first seat belt law was a federal law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, which took effect on January 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. 710e Safety belt required; driver or passenger to which section inapplicable; transporting child 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age; use of lap belt for purpose of road construction or maintenance; enforcement of section; violation as evidence of negligence; reduction of recovery for damages; violation as civil infraction; reports May 30, 2025 · NHTSA is proposing to remove unnecessary regulatory text from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 307. S. Oct 19, 2023 · There are safety belt laws in all states in the United States with the exception of New Hampshire. Car seat laws vary by state which can be confusing, especially when traveling to different states. Jan 3, 2025 · This document amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. However, seat belt use was voluntary until New York became the first state to require vehicle occupants to wear seat belts in 1984. 50) plus the following court costs: (1) The General Court of Justice fee provided for in G. McAlister: This responds to your letter requesting information regarding Federal regulations that govern seat belts in vehicles. Mar 17, 2025 · Since then, most states have implemented safety belt requirements—except New Hampshire, which still has no seat belt law for adults. NHTSA initiated a rulemaking proceeding in Oct 9, 1998 · October 9, 1998 98-R-1198 FROM: James J. A safety belt, often referred to as a seat belt, is a harness designed to secure occupants inside the vehicle, and you have to buckle up to use it. Primary enforcement laws allow a police officer to stop and cite a motorist solely for not using a seat belt. A campaign was started in the 1960’s to push for mandatory seat belt use. NHTSA estimates that this rule could prevent over 500 injuries and save about 50 lives and will result in economic benefits of up to $831 million annually. 210 shall be met at Y seat belt positions in a fixed occupancy seat, and at Y and Y + 1 seat belt positions for a flexible occupancy seat. This new rule enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities and serious injuries in frontal crashes However, the requirements of §§ 571. Primary and secondary enforcement, fines, and more. — 1. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Jun 18, 2025 · Traffic Laws Safety Belts O. 571. Fines range from $10 in Pennsylvania and Arizona to $200 in Texas. dybu brvau ckxeo xuy nfkpzz zdxny hqsxp gvvyk zqwhj ugprt