Seat belt laws in the United States

Most seat belt laws in the United States are left to the states and territories. 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.[1] This law has since been modified to require three-point seat belts in outboard-seating positions, and finally three-point seat belts in all seating positions.[2] Initially, seat belt use was voluntary. New York was the first state to pass a law which required vehicle occupants to wear seat belts, a law that came into effect on December 1, 1984. New Hampshire is the only state that has no enforceable laws for the wearing of seat belts in a vehicle.[3]

Seat belt laws for front seat passengers in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the 5 inhabited U.S. territories.
  No enforcement for adults (primary enforcement for minors)
  Secondary enforcement
  Secondary enforcement; primary under certain ages
  Primary enforcement

Primary and secondary enforcement

U.S. seat belt laws may be subject to primary enforcement or secondary enforcement. Primary enforcement allowing a peace officer to stop and ticket a driver if they observe a violation. Secondary enforcement means that a peace officer may only stop or cite a driver for a seat belt violation if the driver committed another primary violation (such as speeding, running a stop sign, etc.) at the same time. New Hampshire is the only U.S. state that does not by law require adult drivers to wear safety belts while operating a motor vehicle.

In 15 of the 50 states, the seat belt law is considered a secondary offense, which means that a peace officer cannot stop and ticket a driver for the sole offense of not wearing a seat belt. (One exception to this is Colorado, where children not properly restrained is a primary offense and brings a much larger fine.) If a driver commits a primary violation (e.g., for speeding) they may additionally be charged for not wearing a seat belt. In most states the seat belt law was originally a secondary offense; in many it was later changed to a primary offense: California was the first state to make this change, in 1993. Of the 30 states with primary seat belt laws, all but California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon, originally had only secondary enforcement laws.

Thirty-four states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have primary enforcement laws for front seats.[3][4]

Laws by state and territory

This table contains a brief summary of all seat belt laws in the United States.[3][5]

This list includes only seat belt laws, which often do not themselves apply to children. Even so, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and all 5 inhabited U.S. territories have separate child restraint laws.[note 1] Note that these fines are the base fines only. In many cases, significant add-on fees, such as the head injury fund and court security fees, can increase the total assessed fine often by up to a factor of five times as much. These are also for a "first offense", and fines for subsequent offenses are often much higher.

Twenty-three states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands had seat belt usage rates of 90% or higher in 2017.[7]

State,
federal district,
or territory
Type of lawDate of first lawWho is coveredBase fine before feesSeat Belt
Usage
(2017)
[7][note 2]
 AlabamaPrimary EnforcementJuly 18, 1991All ages in all seats[8]$2592.9%
 AlaskaPrimary EnforcementSeptember 12, 1990Age 16+ in all seats$15 ($25 actual)90.1%
 American SamoaPrimary Enforcement[4]All ages in front seats[9]$25[9]84.9%
 ArizonaSecondary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1991Age 8+ in front seats; Age 8–15 in all seats$10 ($37.20 actual)86.1%
 ArkansasPrimary EnforcementJuly 15, 1991Age 15+ in front seats$2581.0%
 CaliforniaPrimary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1986All ages in all seats[10][11]$20 ($162 actual) $50 second offense ($190 actual)596.2%
 ColoradoSecondary Enforcement1
Exception Mountain View where it is a primary violation[12]
July 1, 1987Age 16+ in front seats$7183.8%
 ConnecticutPrimary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1986Age 7+ in front seats$9290.3%
 DelawarePrimary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1992Age 16+ in all seats$2591.4%
 District of ColumbiaPrimary EnforcementDecember 12, 1985Age 16+ in all seats$50493.6%
 FloridaPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 19866+ years in front seat; 6 through 17 years in all seats$30 ($116 actual)90.2%
GeorgiaPrimary EnforcementSeptember 1, 1988Age 8–17 in all seats; Age 18+ in front seats$1597.1%
 GuamPrimary EnforcementAll ages in all seats$10091.0%
 HawaiiPrimary EnforcementDecember 16, 1985Age 8+ in all seats$45 ($112 actual)96.9%
 IdahoSecondary Enforcement2July 1, 1986Age 7+ in all seats$10 ($51.50 actual)81.2%
 IllinoisPrimary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1988Age 16+ in all seats$164 minimum fine93.8%
 IndianaPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1987Age 16+ in all seats$2593.0%
 IowaPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1986All ages in front seats; under 18 in rear seats[13]$25 ($127.50 actual)91.4%
 KansasPrimary Enforcement3July 1, 1986Age 14+ in all seats$60 for age 14-17; $10 for 18+82.0%
 KentuckyPrimary EnforcementJuly 15, 1994Age 7 and younger and more than 57 inches in all seats; 8+ in all seats$2586.8%
 LouisianaPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1986Age 13+ in front seats$2587.1%
 MainePrimary EnforcementDecember 26, 1995Age 18+ in all seats$5088.9%
 MarylandPrimary Enforcement3July 1, 1986Age 16+ in all seats$8392.1%
 MassachusettsSecondary EnforcementFebruary 1, 1994Age 13+ in all seats[14][15]$2573.7%
 MichiganPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1985Age 16+ in front seats$25 ($65 actual)94.1%
 MinnesotaPrimary EnforcementAugust 1, 19867 and younger and more than 57 inches in all seats; 8+ in all seats$25 + $75 fee92.0%
 MississippiPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1994Age 7+ in all seats$2578.8%
 MissouriSecondary Enforcement1September 28, 1985Age 16+ in front seats; age 8-15 in all seats$10 for age 16+; $50 for age 8-1584.0%
 MontanaSecondary EnforcementOctober 1, 1987Age 6+ in all seats$2078.0%
 NebraskaSecondary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1993Age 18+ in front seats$2585.9%
 NevadaSecondary EnforcementJuly 1, 1987Age 6+ in all seats$2590.6%
 New HampshireNone for adults, Primary for minors onlyAugust 18, 1997[16]Age 17 and under in all seats$5067.6%
 New JerseyPrimary Enforcement3March 1, 1985Age 8+ in all seats$46 per person94.1%
 New MexicoPrimary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1986Age 18+ in all seats$25491.5%
New YorkPrimary EnforcementDecember 1, 1984Age 16+ in front seats; under 16 in all seats$50 ($135 actual after surcharges)[17]93.4%
 North CarolinaPrimary Enforcement, Secondary for back seat[18]October 1, 1985All ages in all seats$179 for front seat; $10 for rear seat91.4%
 North DakotaSecondary Enforcement2July 14, 1994Age 18+ in front seats
Age under 18 in all seats
$20 for age 18+
$25 + 1 point on license for under 184
79.3%
 Northern Mariana IslandsPrimary EnforcementRiders 6+ in age, in all seats$2592.2%
 OhioSecondary EnforcementMay 6, 1986Age 15+ in front seat; 8–14 in all seats$30 for driver; $20 for passenger82.8%
 OklahomaPrimary EnforcementFebruary 1, 1987Age 13+ in front seats$2086.9%
 OregonPrimary EnforcementDecember 7, 1990All ages in all seats$13096.8%
 PennsylvaniaSecondary Enforcement2November 23, 1987Age 18+ in front seats; age 8-17 in all seats$1085.6%
 Puerto RicoPrimary EnforcementAge 9+ or 57 inches and over;
Seating unspecified
$5087.9%
 Rhode IslandPrimary EnforcementJune 18, 1991Age 8+ in all seats$7588.3%
 South CarolinaPrimary EnforcementJuly 1, 1989Age 6+ in all seats$2592.3%
 South DakotaSecondary EnforcementJanuary 1, 1995Age 18+ in front seats$2574.8%
 TennesseePrimary EnforcementApril 21, 1986Age 16+ in front seats$2588.5%
 TexasPrimary EnforcementSeptember 1, 1985Age 7 years and younger and 57 inches or taller in all seats
Age 8+ years in all seats
$200 if under 17 (driver)
$50 if over 15 (driver or passenger)
91.9%
 UtahPrimary EnforcementApril 28, 1986All ages in all seats$4588.8%
 VermontSecondary Enforcement2January 1, 1994All ages in all seats$2584.5%
Virgin Islands (U.S.)Primary EnforcementAll ages in front seats$25 to $25079.1%
 VirginiaSecondary Enforcement2January 1, 1988All drivers; age 18+ in front seats; under 18 in all seats$2585.3%
Wake IslandPrimary Enforcement[6]April 10, 2002[6]All ages[6]?No data
WashingtonPrimary EnforcementJune 11, 1986Age 8+ in all seats$12494.8%
 West VirginiaPrimary EnforcementSeptember 1, 1993All ages in front seats; 8–17 in rear seats$2589.7%
 WisconsinPrimary EnforcementDecember 1, 1987Age 8+ in all seats$1089.4%
 WyomingSecondary EnforcementJune 8, 1989Age 9+ in all seats$25 for driver; $10 for passenger84.8%

1 Colorado and Missouri's law is Secondary for adults but Primary for under the age of 16.

2 Idaho, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Virginia's law is Secondary for adults but Primary for under 18.

3 Kansas, Maryland, and New Jersey, law is Secondary Enforcement for rear seat occupants (18+ in Kansas).
4 These states assess points on one's driving record for the seat belt violation.
5 In California- An additional penalty of $24 shall be levied upon every $10 or fraction thereof, of every fine, penalty, or forfeiture imposed by and collected by the court for criminal offenses, including all traffic offenses, except parking offenses as defined in subdivision (i) of Penal Code § 1463. The additional penalty is calculated as follows:

• State penalty required by PC 1464 $10,

• County penalty required by GC 76000(e), $ 7 • Court facilities construction penalty required by GC 70372(a),$ 3 • DNA Identification Fund penalty required by GC 76104.6 and 76104.7,$ 2

• Emergency medical services penalty required by GC 76000.5,$ 2

Penal Code § 1465.8 requires imposition of an additional fee of twenty dollars ($20) for court security on every conviction for a criminal offense, including a traffic offense, except parking offenses as defined in Penal Code § 1463,$20

Note: As of 2017, seat belt usage rate in the entire United States is 89.7%.[7]

Damages reduction

A person involved in a car accident who was not using a seat belt may be liable for damages far greater than if they had been using a seat belt. However, when in court, most states protect motorists from having their damages reduced in a lawsuit due to the non-use of a seat belt, even if they were acting in violation of the law by not wearing the seat belt. Currently, damages may be reduced for the non-use of a seat belt in 16 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida (See F.S.A. 316.614(10)), Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.[19]

Effectiveness

Seat belt laws are effective in reducing car crash deaths.[20] One study found that mandatory-seatbelt laws reduced traffic fatalities by 8% and serious traffic-related injuries by 9%, respectively.[21] Primary-seatbelt laws seem to be more effective at reducing crash deaths than secondary laws.[22][23]

See also

Notes

  1. One territory in the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (Wake Island) requires all occupants of vehicles to wear seat belts.[6]
  2. 2016 rate for the Virgin Islands.

References

  1. US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (January 1, 1968). "Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 - Occupant Crash Protection Passenger Cars".
  2. US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (January 1, 1968). "Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 - Occupant Crash Protection Passenger Cars".
  3. "State laws by Issue: Seat Belts". Governors highway safety association. 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  4. "A Guide to Seat Belt Laws in the United States". Car laws. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  5. "Safety belt use laws". Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  6. "Wake Island Code, 32 CFR Part 935". Federal Register. April 9, 2002. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  7. "Traffic Safety Facts: Seat Belt Use in 2017 – Use Rates in the States and Territories (DOT HS 812 546)". U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. June 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  8. https://www.al.com/news/2019/08/alabama-changes-seat-belt-law-starting-sept-1-all-people-in-vehicles-must-be-buckled-up.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "Title 22 Highways and Motor Vehicles — Chapter 03 Rules of the Road — Section 22.0333 Mandatory use of seat belts". American Samoa Bar Association. 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  10. "California Driver Handbook - Occupant Protection". Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  11. "California Highway Patrol Child Passenger Safety Laws and Guidelines" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  12. 9News Jeremy Jojola on Denver Metro Speed Traps. 9News. 8 June 2015.
  13. "Iowa Seat Belt Law Guide" (PDF).
  14. "PartI Title XIV Chapter90 Section 13a". Massachusetts General Laws. 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  15. "Child passenger restraint law". Massachusetts General Laws. 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  16. HB 273-FN Final Version, Chapter 244, 1997 Session, New Hampshire. "244:2 New Paragraph; Safety Belt Required for Drivers Under 18. Amend RSA 265:107-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph: I-a. No person who is less than 18 years of age shall drive a motor vehicle on any way unless such person is wearing a seat or safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened." Retrieved on 2020-01-25 from http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/1997/HB0273.html.
  17. "vehicle and traffic state mandated surcharges $85 for seat belt". Horseheads.org. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  18. "Court costs and fees chart" (PDF). NCCourts.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  19. "Child restraint/belt use laws". Iihs.org. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  20. Cohen, Alma; Einav, Liran (November 2003). "The Effects of Mandatory Seat Belt Laws on Driving Behavior and Traffic Fatalities" (PDF). Review of Economics and Statistics. 85 (4): 828–843. doi:10.1162/003465303772815754.
  21. Carpenter, Christopher S.; Stehr, Mark (May 2008). "The effects of mandatory seatbelt laws on seatbelt use, motor vehicle fatalities, and crash-related injuries among youths" (PDF). Journal of Health Economics. 27 (3): 642–662. doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2007.09.010. PMID 18242744.
  22. Lee, Lois K.; Monuteaux, Michael C.; Burghardt, Lindsey C.; Fleegler, Eric W.; Nigrovic, Lise E.; Meehan, William P.; Schutzman, Sara A.; Mannix, Rebekah (4 August 2015). "Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities in States With Primary Versus Secondary Seat Belt Laws". Annals of Internal Medicine. 163 (3): 184–90. doi:10.7326/M14-2368. PMID 26098590.
  23. Rivara, FrederickP.; Thompson, DianeC.; Cummings, Peter (January 1999). "Effectiveness of primary and secondary enforced seat belt laws". American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 16 (1): 30–39. doi:10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00113-5. PMID 9921384.
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