SEAT BELTS
Since 1985 New York State has had a mandatory seat belt law. This "primary enforcement law" allows a police officer to stop you and issue you a traffic summons if you are not wearing your seat belt. This law has been documented to save almost 150 lives per year in traffic related crashes. Also it is estimated that use of seatbelts saves over 400 million dollars in personal injury claims.
In New York State 30% of all highway deaths occur to occupants that are not wearing seat belts. All new cars sold in the United States are designed and built to safety standards that reach their maximum efficiency if you are wearing your seat belt. Even if your vehicle is equipped with air bags the use of seat belts by all front seat passengers is mandatory in this state.
According to section 1229-c of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law all front seat passengers must wear an approved seat belt and harness. All rear seat passengers under the age of 16 years old must be wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for this compliance with the exception of a person over the sixteen years old who is riding in the front seat of the vehicle. If this person is not wearing the proper seat belt restraint they are liable for the violation. For more information check out the New York State DMV Safety Website.
All children under the age of four years old must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat. For more information on this requirement please utilize the link below.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BUCKLE UP. IT IS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND IT IS THE LAW
BACK TO TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PAGE