The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Seatbelt Laws By State

SAFETY BELT USE LAWS

StateStandard enforcement?Who is covered? In what seats?Maximum fine 1st offenseDamages reduced for nonuse?
Alabamayes6+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Alaskano16+ yrs. in all seats$15yes
Arizonano5+ yrs. in front seat;5 through 15 in all seats (eff. 8/22/02)$10yes
Arkansasno15+ yrs. in front seat$251,2no
Californiayes16+ yrs. in all seats$20yes
Coloradono16+ yrs. in front seat$15yes3
Connecticutyes4+ yrs. in front seat$15no
Delawarenoall in front seat$20no
District of Columbiayes16+ yrs. in all seats$501no
Floridano6+ yrs. in front seat; 6 through 17 yrs. in all seats$30yes


StateStandard enforcement?Who is covered? In what seats?Maximum fine 1st offenseDamages reduced for nonuse?
Georgiayes5 through 17 yrs. in all seats; 18+ yrs. in front seat$154no
Hawaiiyes4 through 17 yrs. in all seats; 18+ yrs. in front seat$45no
Idahono4+ yrs. in front seat$5no
Illinoisno6+ yrs. in front seat; all in all seats if driver is younger than 18 yrs.$25no
Indianayes4 through 11 yrs. in all seats; 12+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Iowayes6+ yrs. in front seat$10yes3
Kansasno14+ yrs. in front seat$10no
Kentuckyno more than 40 in. in all seats$25yes
Louisianayes13+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Maineno18+ yrs. in all seats (eff. 1/1/03)$50no


StateStandard enforcement?Who is covered? In what seats?Maximum fine 1st offenseDamages reduced for nonuse?
Marylandyes16+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Massachusettsno12+ yrs. in all seats$254no
Michiganyes4+ yrs. in front seat; 4 through 15 yrs. in all seats$25yes3
Minnesotanoall in front seat; 3 through 10 yrs. in all seats$25no
Mississippino (yes for children <8)4 through 7 yrs. in all seats/8+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Missourino (yes for children <16)4+ yrs. in front seat; 4 through 15 yrs. in all seats$10yes3
Montanano4+ yrs. in all seats$20no
Nebraskano16+ yrs. in front seat$25yes3
Nevadano5+ yrs. in all seats$25no
New Hampshireno lawno lawno lawno


StateStandard enforcement?Who is covered? In what seats?Maximum fine 1st offenseDamages reduced for nonuse?
New Jerseyyes7 yrs. and younger and more than 80 lbs.; 8 through 17 in all seats; 18+ in front seat$20yes
New Mexicoyes18+ yrs. in all seats$25no
New Yorkyes16+ yrs. in front seat$501yes
North Carolinayes16+ yrs. in front seat$25no
North Dakotano18+ yrs. in front seat$20yes
Ohiono4+ yrs. in front seat$25 driver/$15 passengeryes
Oklahomayesall in front seat$20no
Oregonyes16+ yrs. in all seats$75yes
Pennsylvaniano4+ yrs. in front seat$10no
Rhode Islandno (yes for children <13)7+ yrs. in all seats$50no


StateStandard enforcement?Who is covered? In what seats?Maximum fine 1st offenseDamages reduced for nonuse?
South Carolinano (yes for children <18 yrs.)56+ yrs. in front seat; 6+ yrs. in rear seat with shoulder belt$10no
South Dakotano5+ yrs. in front seat$20no
Tennesseeno4+ yrs. in front seat$10no
Texasyes4 through 16 yrs. in all seats; 17+ yrs. in front seat$200no
Utahno (yes for children <19 yrs.)16+ yrs. in all seats$45no
Vermontno13+ yrs. in all seats$10no
Virginiano16+ yrs. in front seat$25no
Washingtonyesall in all seats$35no
West Virginiano9+ yrs. in front seat; 9 through 17 yrs. in all seats$25yes3
Wisconsinno4+ yrs. in front seat; 4 through 15 yrs. in rear seat with shoulder belt$10yes3
Wyomingno5+ yrs. in all seats

$252 driver/$10 passenger

no

1These states assess points for violations. For further details, please call the Institute.

2Arkansas and Wyoming reward belt use by reducing the fine for the primary violation by $10.

3Under the safety belt defense, Wisconsin allows a maximum 15 percent damage reduction (in Missouri, a maximum 1 percent). In 3 states (Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska), the damage reduction may not exceed 5 percent. In Colorado, damages may be reduced for pain and suffering only, not economic or medical losses. In West Virginia, an award for medical expenses only may be reduced by no more than 5 percent.

4In Georgia, the maximum fine is $25 if the child is 5-18 yrs. Drivers in Massachusetts may be fined $25 for violating the belt law themselves and $25 for each unrestrained passenger 12-16 yrs.

5Police are prohibited in South Carolina from enforcing safety belt laws at checkpoints designed for that purpose. However, safety belt violations may be issued at license and registration checkpoints..

 


back to top

©1996-2002, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute
Last modified: 02-Jul-2002